How the Cardinal Got its Colors

By Arene
Westside Montessori Center

The cardinal is one of the most interesting birds there are. One of the most asked questions is "How did the cardinal get its bright red colors?" Well, here is an amazing tale that I'm going to tell.

A long time ago, many of the birds that we see today were not yet created. One was, however, who was called "Gray One." It was very cold back then and fire had just been created. The life forms then were still experimenting with it.

Gray One was very cold, but very curious. He decided to go look at the bright red thing that he saw down in a valley. As he lowered himself farther toward the earth, he felt warmer, but had no idea why. But now you need to know some things about Gray One. One, he was horribly far-sighted. Two, he was somewhat of a klutz. He landed, and walked nearer to the fire. He got warmer, but he couldn't quite see where he was going. Suddenly, he tripped over a stone and fell directly into the fire!

Fortunately, Great God was watching, and he pulled him out, but not soon enough. Gray One was no longer gray. He was bright red, with streaks of color on his sides. Then he heard a voice. The voice of Great God.

"What were you doing? How could you be so careless?" He yelled. Then he calmed. "Gray One, you must be punished for your act. You know that it is your own fault for what happened, and if it weren't for me, you would have been part of the fire," he said, pointing to what was left of the fire. he went on to explain Gray One's punishment.

"You shall no longer be called Gray One, you are red and shall remain red, red as a fire. Your new name is Cardinal, and you shall now eat seeds." Great god let Cardinal leave, and he has stayed red ever since, red as a fire, with more sense, and less curiosity.

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