The Spirit of the Bird and the Royal Prince is a book by the Colombian writer, Jaime Bedoya Martínez. The book, in epic poem form, describes the transformation of a bird into a prince and the effect this new life has on a kingdom. This story investigates several themes related to the virtues which man has lost as society’s developed into an industrial and consumerism focus. While the transformation of the bird into a boy can channel into several complex metaphors, it is clear that the writer’s basic intent is to use this narrative to point out the dysfunction of humanity.

The contrasts between the life of a humble animal and man, whose life has been compromised by abnormal and perverse desires dominate much of the work. A king whose wife cannot bear a child asks for divine intervention, as does a bird enamored with the idea of becoming a boy. When the transformation finally occurs, there is great joy from both parties. A tale of redemption and a future fraught with wisdom and goodness empowers a king and a kingdom. The transformation is not only physical but also intellectual and academic. He studies, travels, ponders and develops into a unique individual. His origin in a simple and pure world does have implications as the story evolves.

The narrative explores the tension between the hope and qualities of an anticipated utopian society, and the reality and limitations of dystopian it can become. Although Mr. Martinez is enthusiastic about the scenario his writing plays out, he doubts the virtue of human society and it shows when soliloquies dominate the storyline; the protagonists seem doubtful of their motives and destiny. Entire passages serve as soliloquies on the fault of man’s approach to life and his fellow. At the same time, the writer is a harsh critic of the synthetic desires and the enslavement effected by these superficialities.

A Royal Prince with doubts about life in general is what we get. The sense that a creature with nothing suddenly has everything is not a surprise conflict; Mr. Martinez handles it well as the story hits its peak redemptive qualities. What constitutes "nothing" and "everything" becomes a point of contention for the characters and the writer.

While the ending does not have the fireworks of the middle story, this reader is satisfied that it provides a reasonable conclusion. The power of the story is the poetic passages which illustrate what man should manifest and what he often does not. We are often back to rereading stanzas that harshly criticize but yet offer a way back to a natural life. Poetry that is enlightening and provocative while offering advice for our future happiness.