The Hummingbird

About

Our inspiration: the story of the Hummingbird underpins the Godiva Awakes Project because it is about ‘Determination’ one small bird trying to put out a huge forest fire by dropping droplets of water from its beak. All the animals in the forest ask the Hummingbird what it is trying to do and he answers “I’m doing the best I can”.

This is an important metaphor for human endeavour. This beautiful tiny bird hovering represents the fragility and transience of human life, a life where it seems impossible for one 'ordinary' person to make a difference. The story tells us however that we can all make a positive impact in the world if we want to, with an action that might at first seem very small or even insignificant.

At Imagineer Productions we heard Wangari Maathai tell the story of the Hummingbird on film – it was her inspiration for the work she did in Kenya and throughout the world in combating the efforts of deforestation. 

The Hummingbird accompanies Godiva on her modern day quests hovering above her as a symbol of determination and desire to make a positive difference in any way that you can. It will become an intrinsic part of the new brand image for Godiva Awakes.

The Hummingbirds joyously appeared in the Godiva Carnival Procession in 2012.