Chapter 10

Because Maria and several of the other young robins were not yet in shape to make the long trip north, the elders of the flock decided that they should delay their departure for several days. Of course they warned that everyone had better get in shape quickly or risk being left behind. All the young robins were instructed to fly a lot to pump up those young wing muscles, and to eat a lot so that they would have plenty of fat stored up to make the long trip home. None of this was a problem for Hector as he was a strong flier, and an excellent hunter. As a matter of fact, Hector often hunted for Maria as well as some of the other young robins. In the meantime, he continued visiting Carlos in an effort to learn more. One morning, when he flew to visit Carlos, he ran into Carlos in a tree outside the house where Carlos lived. “Good morning, young Hector,” Carlos said. “I thought your flock would have flown north by now.”

“Several of the others needed more time to get in shape,” Hector answered.

“See,” Carlos said. “Too often the young one’s want to play when they should be hunting. I see you have been hunting well, my friend.”

“It’s easy to hunt around here.”

“See, but when the rains come the worms will all tunnel deep into the ground. If your flock does not leave soon then many of you will starve.”

“The elders say we’re leaving in just a few days,” Hector replied.

“That is good,” Carlos replied. “It would be a tragedy if you stayed too long.”

“Why are you outside?” Hector asked.

“I wanted to catch a few more days of sunshine before the rains come,” Carlos answered. “The spring rains will last a long time. Why is it you have come to see me, young Hector?”

“I wanted to study the globe some more, before I make my trip. I want to make sure I don’t get lost.” Hector said.

“You will not get lost if you trust that which is inside you,” Carlos said. “The Creator has given you everything you need.”

“The Creator?” Hector asked, “I don’t think I’ve ever met the Creator. Who is he?”

“You met the Creator even before you were born, Hector. He has been with you always, watching over you, and helping to...”

“I don’t remember him,” Hector interrupted.

“The Creator is that voice inside you, that guides you along your way. You don’t need no globe when you listen to the Creator. You have studied hard and listened well to everything I have taught you, there is no more I can teach you except to listen for the voice of the Creator.”

“You say he’s inside of me?”

“It is true.”

“But how could that be?” Hector asked. “How could someone be inside of me?”

“The Creator is inside of everything,” Carlos answered. “The creator is in everything and everyone. He is in every flower and every breath of wind blown by Mother Earth. The creator is is every rain drop and every beam of sunlight. The Creator is in every bird that flies, even in you.”

“I don’t understand. How can that be?”

“It is too big to understand on your own, Hector. You have to be one with the world to understand the Creator. No one can tell you about him except that he exists. If a young bird believes then that young bird will always be blessed. Those who do not believe will fly away lost. That is the way of the world. Only the Creator can save you from the ways of the world, do you understand?”

“I think so,” Hector answered. “I’m just not...”

“You have to believe it,” Carlos ordered. “Otherwise, everything you have learned is useless and nothing will save you from this world. You must always listen to the voice of the Creator inside of you, and not to the many other voices that sometimes fill your head.”

“You mean there’s more than one voice inside me?”

“See, there are many voices inside of you. There are the voices of doubt, pain, and fear. There are the voices of greed and hate. There is the voice that tells you that you cannot ever know it all. All those voices are bad for you, do not listen to the lies they tell you. Listen only to the voice of the Creator.”

“But how will I know which is which?” Hector asked.

“Do you trust me?” Carlos asked.

“You know I trust you,” Hector answered.

“But why do you trust me, young Hector?”

“Because it feels right to trust you.”

“The voice that tells you to trust me is the voice of the Creator,” Carlos replied. “It is that voice you should always listen for. It is that voice you should always believe. Even when the Creator speaks very quietly, the Creator always speaks the truth. Anytime you hear the other voices screaming loudly, just command them to be still and they will go away allowing you to hear the voice of the Creator. Even though you are very confused now, deep inside, you already know I am telling you the truth. Listen to that one voice only, and all will be known to you, my friend.”

Hector spent a lot of time thinking about the words Carlos had told him. He wanted to believe that Carlos was telling the truth just like he believed that Carlos told the truth about the world being round, but there was no way he could fly high enough to see what, or who, this creator was. Hector had just got his first lesson in blind faith and one cannot help but wonder how well he did.