The Story of How Scarlet The Macaw Got Her Colors

Once upon a time, there was a bird called Scarlet the Macaw. She lived in the kingdom of Belize, where magic and mystery seeped into the very fabric of life.

Scarlet the Macaw was the most beautiful bird in the world, with feathers that shimmered like rainbows and a voice that could make any cloudless sky seem happy.

She could fly for hours without stopping, even when she left her tree at the top of an impossibly high mountain to dive at incredible speeds toward a forest of massive trees.

She would race through the forest, weaving a path around their trunks and through their branches, until she reached a clearing where she would circle back to her home. From this spot, she flew each morning, soaring into the air with wings spread wide.

One day, while she was flying in search of food, Scarlet was attacked by a poacher. She tried to fly away, but the arrows bounced off her colorful feathers, and she lost consciousness.

Scarlet fell to the ground. Other Macaws came flying to her. They flew in close to protect her with their wings. They screamed loudly to scare off the poacher. Their voices could be heard for miles.

Mary the Blue Macaw: Scarlet? Scarlet, wake up!

Scarlet: Macaw!

Mary: I'm here, Scarlet. It's okay.

Scarlet: I'm scared. Why are they hunting us? What if I can never fly freely again?

Mary: Don't say that. We'll get through this.

The Macaw family decided to carry Scarlet back to their nesting tree to heal, but it would take time. While Scarlet slowly started to get better, poachers searched for her because of her beautiful feathers.

The Macaws wanted to protect Scarlet, but they didn't know how to do it. Finally, Mary the Blue Macaw came up with an idea. She called all the Macaws in for a meeting.

Mary the Blue Macaw: I'm so glad to see you all! We need to stop the poachers once and for all. I know you've all problems with them. It's not just Scarlet that needs protecting.

The Blue-and-Gold Macaws and Green Macaws nodded. They had all lost loved ones, as the poachers stole their kin and carried them away to faraway lands. Every single Macaw there had lost someone important to them.

Gary, the Green Macaw: We need to end this; we cannot let them keep taking us away from our homes.

Gary looked around and saw everyone's heads were down in sadness.

Mary the Blue Macaw: Don't worry, I already have a plan. We can paint Scarlet's head and part of her wings red like bloodstains, like an ominous warning sign. The poachers will run away when they see an angry, blood-covered parrot flying towards them in full fury.

They asked Scarlet if she agreed, and she nodded yes. They tried it out right away by painting bright red streaks across her head and wings like bloodstains.

It turned out that the Macaws were a natural at painting. Eventually, Scarlet had the most beautiful feathers in all of Belize.

It was time to test it out and fly out into the world again. Scarlet took a deep breath and leaped off the top of the Macaw nesting tree. She squawked as she swung through the air before catching an updraft and flying up into the blue sky. The other macaws were close behind, ready to help her if she got into any trouble.

Suddenly she heard a warning cry.

Mary the Blue Macaw: Scarlet, watch out! The poacher is back, and he's brought more men with him.

With wings spread wide, Scarlet flew toward the hunter. Her mouth opened in an angry scream. The men stared in terror as they saw the bright red bird flying at them in anger.

The other Macaws followed closely behind her, their rage turning their heads bright red. Their emotions were spilling over into their feathers, giving them a deep blush.

The men stared in terror as the blood-red, angry Macaws hurled towards them. They dropped their guns and ran for their lives, never to return.

And that is how Scarlet became the first Macaw to save them from the poachers. She learned that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. No one should be hunted because of how they look.

Today, all Scarlet Macaws are flying proudly with their red streaks across their head and wings like bloodstains as a reminder to everyone never to harm them or any other animal ever again.

And all the other Macaws still blush bright red when angered, in tribute to their lost tribe.

The End.