Silq'Ispa, Ñanta

The stroll of the condor 

One tells that one day on the highest peak near the village of Acacachi, Juancito was having a rest.

Then, a beautiful, very big and imposing condor approached him. He thought that the condor was attacking him and was getting ready to defend himself, ready to fight with the bird.  

But he immediately changed his attitude when the condor told him : « don’t be afraid, I just want to take you for a stroll in places that no peasant would be able to know”.

“Alright then”, answered Juancito. 

The condor came closer and Juancito jumped on the wing of the bird which took him to the heights.

Juancito said that you could not distinguish the villages from the heights. 

He passed above the town of La Paz. Then they came close to the Illimani. The condor landed on the highest peak. Juancito bent and as he was thirsty he sucked some snow to satisfy his thirst.

At that moment the condor told him: “Don’t take the snow since your belly can hurt”. 

After having enjoyed the marvellous sight from the heights, Juancito jumped again on the bird’s wing and was taken back to the place where he was resting before the arrival of the condor. 

Severino M 

Story from the book « Popular Bolivian tales » by Antonio Paredes Candida ».