The legend of the toh bird is an ancient story of Mayan origin, specifically of the Yucatan Peninsula, it is said that adventurers entering the jungles of these areas are guided by the bird Toh to find cenotes, natural pools located in caves.
The toh bird is a solitary bird always close to caves and dark places, the most characteristic is its whining song and its unique tail, it has a bright plumage that shines with the sun’s rays, its tail moves like a pendulum and does not move. resemble those of other birds in the area.
“Pride is not greatness, but swelling; And the inflation looks good, but it’s not healthy?. – Santo Agostinho-
Legend has it that, for many years, this bird was part of natural royalty, at the time it had a long tail of spectacular colors, it was so beautiful that it was therefore considered a superior bird. the animals admired his beautiful plumage and treated him with respect and courtesy.
According to legend, this bird was so beautiful and admired that it became presumptuous and arrogant, he said he could not work because he feared that his beautiful tail would be hurt, so the other birds had to give him water and food, make his nests and prepare the place where he would sleep.
The toh bird did practically nothing. He got up late and headed to the royal garden, where the most beautiful birds of the whole forest were located, where everyone talked about banalities and laughed at jokes, so they spent every day of their lives.
The Toh bird was an extremely pampered bird. He didn’t settle for any food and always wanted the best. Although the other birds always tried to please him, he never seemed satisfied with anything.
One night, the owl, who was the wisest of them all, said a terrible storm was coming, I knew that those storms only happened every 50 years, it was unimaginable. Thunder, lightning and lightning fell all over the forest, we had to build a shelter to survive.
Immediately, all the birds began to work. The beak, macaws, parakeets and tongs began cutting branches to take refuge; the larger birds, such as the jacugua-u, carried the heaviest branches; Small birds, such as crows and quail, have collected small plants and stones to assist in construction.
Bird legend Toh says the clouds were getting darker and darker, yet the toh bird was still acting as if nothing had happened, he was just waiting for the others to finish building the shelter to protect himself. other birds criticized him for his attitude and asked him to help him with construction.
The toh bird was annoyed by the request of his companions, however, fearing that he would not be allowed into the shelter, joined the builders, after a few minutes, he was tired. He was too lazy to work as a bricklayer, it wasn’t for him. So he took advantage of the carelessness of others and hid in a cave.
Once inside the cave, he leaned against the wall and finally fell asleep. He didn’t even notice when the storm started, the lightning and thunder didn’t wake him up, as the few minutes he had worked had left him exhausted.
The cave was very small and all its beautiful tail hung, but it didn’t care. The storm lasted a day and a night, then the sun came up again. The other birds left the shelter and the bird Toh left his cave.
Bird legend Toh says he thought everything would stay the same, as soon as he saw that the rain had passed he headed to the royal garden to continue his daily routine, however, when he arrived, everyone started laughing. There wasn’t much left of that majestic tail that the storm had completely destroyed.
Embarrassing, the bird Toh returned to the cave and never abandoned it. The punishment for their pride and selfishness was having to live alone, in a remote place, and work forever to guide explorers arriving in the forest.