In the rain forests of Brazil, people tell this story about how the beetles of the jungle got their brilliant colors.
Long ago, when Brazilian beetles were the color of dust, a beetle scurried as fast as he could run along the floor of the jungle. Along came a paca, which is a South American creature like a rat.
Proud paca
“Is that the fastest you can run?” the paca sneered. And he ran round and round the poor little beetle until the beetle was dizzy.
Now the parrot was watching, and he disliked the disrespectful way the paca was behaving. “Friend Beetle! Friend Paca!” the parrot called. “I see you are interested in the subject of speed. I think the two of you should have a race. I will ask my friend the Weaver Bird to give a new coat to the one who wins the race.”
A new coat for the winner
“A new coat?” said the paca. “I am tired of wearing brown with white spots. I want a purple coat, with yellow stripes.”
“A new coat?” said the beetle. “I am tired of being plain as dust. I would like to have bright colors like you, Friend Parrot.”
So they agreed to have their race. The first one to reach the tree at the top of the hill would be the winner.
The paca’s race
The parrot gave the signal to start, and the paca raced away as fast as he could go. He saw no sign of the beetle. His way was steep, running up the hill, but he kept panting and running, panting and running. He wanted that new coat.
Finally he reached the top of the hill. And there sat the beetle, waiting!
How’d you do that?
“How did you get here before me?” the paca asked.
“I flew,” the beetle said.
A new coat for the beetle
Today the beetles of the rain forest are all the colors of the bright parrot – blue, green, gold, purple, red. This is because the beetle won his race with the paca, the people say.
And they say something else as well: “Don’t judge people quickly. A dull coat might be covering up a pair of wings.”
How do you think the paca could have avoided making the mistake he made?
What the Bible says
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.” (I Sam. 16:7, NIV)
Today’s Prayer
Lord, give me eyes to see the way you see. You don’t look at our appearance, but who we are inside. Amen.
Resource
This story is retold from We Like Kids! A Multicultural Storybook compiled by Jeff Brown, GoodYear Books
© Becky Cerling Powers 2019
Hymn for a Baby: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
7/22/2021
In Sickness or in Health: a faith based Father's Day Story from the Story Powerline
David Melin as told to Becky Cerling Powers
6/16/2021
Being with Dad: a faith-based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A Hinshaw
6/9/2021
Trouble -- the doorway to God's Kingdom: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/25/2021
Honey Tree: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/23/2021
The Law of Kindness: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
3/12/2021
Eyes in the Lookout: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A Hinshaw
3/10/2021
Focusing on the good stuff: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Joe Herman
3/5/2021
The Grumble Family: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Anonymous
3/3/2021
Henry O. Flipper: a black history month story from the Story Powerline
Randy Limbird
2/24/2021
Neighbor Love: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/17/2021
No Matter What, I Love You Every Day: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers and Robert G Cerling
2/14/2021
Mental Maps: a faith based story on love from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/10/2021
Putting Myself in the Love Chapter: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Erik Powers
2/8/2021
Resolving the Past: a faith-based story from the Story Powerline
Sharon Withers as told to Becky Cerling Powers
1/22/2021
God Sets the Lonely in Families: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Sharon Withers as told to Becky Cerling Powers
1/21/2021
Keep Trying: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
1/13/2021
Breaking Barriers with Kindness: a faith based Christmas story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
12/10/2020
Shoe Shine Boy: a faith based Christmas story from the Story Powerline
Ruben Fierro as told to Maria Luisa Navarro
12/4/2020
Slow Down for Christmas: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
12/1/2020
Ruth & Boaz, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Maria Luisa Navarro
11/12/2020
Ruth & Boaz, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Maria Luisa Navarro
11/9/2020
Enemies No More, Part 2: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/30/2020
Enemies No More, Part 1: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/28/2020
Double Minded Doggie: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/22/2020
The Father's Blessing: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/13/2020
Dad's Green Packard: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/10/2020
Hill of Woman's Fidelity: a faith based Beatitudes story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
10/1/2020
Grandpa Thure Cerling, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
8/4/2020
Grandpa Thure Cerling, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
8/4/2020
Temptation: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A. Hinshaw
7/23/2020
Honest Abe Lincoln: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Randy Limbird
7/14/2020
The Most Conscientious Hunter I Ever Met: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A. Hinshaw
6/24/2020
Washing Feet: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers and Lee Merrill Byrd
6/17/2020
No Parking: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/10/2020
Ruby Bridges, part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/3/2020
Ruby Bridges, part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/2/2020
Unwanted Baby: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Eileen as told to Becky Cerling Powers
5/26/2020
Joey's Letters: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Lee Merrill Byrd
5/21/2020
Alzheimer Valley: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
5/13/2020
New Bride Confusion: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/12/2020
Amaris Luz, Light from Darkness: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Lee Merrill Byrd
4/28/2020
Losing Poetry: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/22/2020
Naaman, Rich in Money and Presumption: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs and Becky Cerling Powers
4/14/2020
David, Bathsheba & Psalm 51: a faith based story story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
4/9/2020
The Beer Would Call Me: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Beatriz Balcort as told to Becky Cerling Powers
4/7/2020
Turned Around: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Brian Bolton with Becky Cerling Powers
4/2/2020
Elijah & the Captain of 50 Men: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
3/31/2020
Fear in Residence: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
3/24/2020
Dreaming of Anita Jo: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
3/12/2020
No Complaint Dinners: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
3/10/2020
DIY Plumbing: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Jennifer Cummings
3/5/2020
A Brother's Love: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
3/3/2020
My Two Dads, part three: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Janimarie Rowe as told to Becky Cerling Powers
2/27/2020
My Two Dads, part two: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Janimarie Rowe as told to Becky Cerling Powers
2/26/2020
My Two Dads, part one: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Janimarie Rowe as told to Becky Cerling Powers
2/25/2020
Grandma's Apron: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Jennifer Cummings
2/20/2020
Colors of the Beetle: a retold faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/13/2020
Cantaloupe Crop Disaster: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen Hinshaw
2/5/2020
Afraid to Sleep at Night (Psalm 91): a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
1/22/2020
How the Camel Got His Hump: a retold faith based story
Becky Cerling Powers
1/13/2020
Growing Up With Polio: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
1/9/2020
All Things Bright and Beautiful: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers, poem by Cecil Frances Alexander
1/7/2020
One Dollar for a Donut: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
1/1/2020
Star of Wonder
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/26/2019
The Shepherds
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/24/2019
Mary and the Angel
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/18/2019
Zechariah
Paula Kortkamp Combs
12/17/2019
Christmas Cookies: a a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Laura Jane Cerling
12/10/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 2: Beginning in Weakness (a faith based story)
Rami Scully
11/28/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 3: Gifts & Gratitude (a faith based story from the Story Powerline)
Rami Scully
11/28/2019
First Thanksgiving, Part 1: Enduring the Sea Voyage (a faith based story)
Rami Scully
11/27/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 3: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Néaouguen Nodjimbadem as told to Becky Cerling Powers
11/22/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 2: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Néaouguen Nodjimbadem
11/19/2019
Rescuing my Family in Wartime, Part 1: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Nodji (Néaouguen Nodjimbadem) as told to Becky Cerling Powers
11/12/2019
Grandma Time: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Jennifer Cummings
11/1/2019
Safe Amid Snakes and Semi-Trucks: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/30/2019
Avon Perfume Surprise: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/22/2019
Saving Butterscotch: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Karen M. Pickett Ward
10/16/2019
The Patient in Room 116: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/8/2019
Belshazzar: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Paula Kortkamp Combs
10/2/2019
My Mysterious Relative & the Missing Paycheck: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/26/2019
Keeping in Touch with Cousins: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Paula Kortkamp Combs
9/24/2019
How the Ostrich Got His Long Neck: a faith based retold story from the Story Powerline
Retold by Becky Cerling Powers
9/9/2019
When Life Goes Up in Smoke: a faith based story from the Story Powerline
Glen A. Hinshaw
8/20/2019
