Curse+of+Chinchero

The Curse of Chinchero

Zambo had been walking for three days, eating dried guinea pig meat and various berries, sleeping in the grass when he was too tired to walk. He passed a few fruit trees and well-tended fields, and the path gradually improved; maybe he was approaching a village. Soon enough, Zambo saw a pretty girl in a red hat watching him from the grassy hillside. Not wanting to scare her, Zambo continued up the path, but after two steps, he saw a second girl watching him. When he met her eyes, she looked away and suddenly caught sight of the first girl. She looked surprised, but Zambo was sure that he was entering a village, so he kept walking. At the top of a hill, Zambo stepped over a large flat stone and through an open gate. He sees many stone huts with thatched roofs surrounding a wide marketplace. Several vendors were standing with piles of wool and dried foods, talking with a group of women. Zambo, tired, sat beneath a tree and rested, observing the people passing through the marketplace. He found himself admiring the many dried fruits and grains that were for sale. Near the gate, he sees that the two girls from the path have followed him into the village and are staring at him from behind a low wall. A large, grey-haired man wearing a bright-blue wool cloak and a feathered hat walked over to Zambo and said, “Hello stranger, welcome to the village of Chinchero, My name is Apec, Chief of this village.” “My name is Zambo, I am new here and am lost,” replied Zambo. “Worry not Zambo, please come over to my home; I shall introduce you to my family. I think it will keep you out of trouble with those two.” Apec lifted his heavy wooden staff and pointed at the same two young women that were still eyeing Zambo.
 * // Zambo's story //** (Alex Bridle)

Although Apec the Chief’s house was not much bigger than the other huts in the town, the interior was comfortably beautiful; all of the walls are covered with many colorful pictures woven from dyed wool and string, and small openings in the walls filled the rooms with midday sun. In the center of the hut was a large dark wooden table and ten chairs with carvings of mountains, llamas, and flowers. Apec sits Zambo down and offers him some tea and then introduces him to the rest of the family. “This is my wife, Sura, she has trouble getting around as she fell in the ravine on the nearby mountain while she was bringing food to my hut on the top. This here is my daughter Mani.”

Both Sura and Mani said hello and left the room, however Mani keeps her eyes locked onto Zambo as she walks out. Apec sighs “My daughter is now 13 and still has not taken interest in any man in the village, never mind though, that is a different story. If you want to stay in Chincero, Zambo you can work on my mountain herding my alpacas and you will live in my old hut at the peak”. Zambo agrees “Certainly, My Chief”.

Later that day, Zambo goes to the mountain, once he reaches the peak, he sees the alpaca pens and Apec's hut. The next day, he began training the alpacas, the view from the mountain was incredible, he could see all the roads stretching in all directions wondering where his own path will lead him. He is snapped out of his daze by a voice, “Hello Zambo, I have come with food!” Mani, the Chief's daughter has come up the mountain carrying a basket of fruit. “Mani, what are you doing here! Your father will be furious if he finds out you came here!” Zambo forcefully replied. “My father needs to give me more freedom sometimes” Mani replied. She placed the basket in his hands and let out a giggle before skipping down the mountain.

Days passed as Zambo continued to train the alpacas. Mani came to see him everyday now and for longer periods of time, he was starting to look forward to her daily arrival. It was starting to get very late one night and Zambo assumed that Mani was not coming today. He went to bed and woke up the next day and noticed that two of the alpacas were missing; he knew that if the chief found out, he would be severely punished. He ventured down the mountain and noticed two different footprint trails that strayed away from the rest of the alpaca marks. He also saw footprints that looked like someone was going in the same direction, so he followed the trail down a long windy path. In the distance, Zambo saw a ravine, and his two missing alpaca down below, “Come here you lost animals! It’s time to come back now!” he shouted, but Mani emerged from behind the alpaca, blushing more than being in pain. “Mani! I must get you back to your father; he will be so worried!” Zambo exclaimed. “Thank you Zambo, I have never been so frightened in my life!” Mani replied. Without further hesitation, Zambo pulled Mani and the two alpaca out of the ravine and walked with them to Apec's house.

All the townspeople stared in shock as the three of them passed by together. Apec and Sura spotted them from the doorway and came dashing out. “Mani! My daughter! Thank goodness you're safe! Where did you go?” said Apec “I fell in that large ravine on the mountain path” Mani replied, “If not for Zambo, I don't know what would have happened to me” Apec quickly glared at Zambo. “Thank you Zambo for saving my daughter from such danger.” he now turned back to Mani, and said, “Why were you going up there in the first place? Have I not told you it's dangerous!” Mani could not keep her words back and said, “I found myself in love with Zambo; I simply wished to spend time with him.” Apec, with shock and a smile on his face asked Zambo “Do you feel the same way?” Zambo answered “Yes, I do my chief.” Apec stood straight and offered his hand to Zambo. “Then, I grant you permission to marry my daughter.”

In a small Inca village called Chinchero, high in the mountains above Cuzco, the capital city of the Inca Empire, there lived a chief by the name of Apec. Apec was an old man, forty two years old in age, with gray hair and the finest wool clothing, with beautiful feathers and nothing but the best jewelry. His hair was different from everybody so that they could tell that he was the chief of their village. Apec has a beautiful wife, Sura, who recently fell off a path in the winter. Due to that, she wanders around with a limp. Apec and Sura have a daughter by the name of Mani, who is thirteen years old. Apec is growing upset because Mani is of age to get married and does not have her eye set on any man. “Mani, you are thirteen years old and you are still sitting around and playing with dolls!” Exclaimed Apec, “You should be out finding a husband. It is time to grow up and let go of these childish things.” “But Daddy, there’s no man in the village that I want to marry!” cried Mani. “If you do not find a man in two weeks, then I will arrange a marriage for you even if you do not like him. End of discussion.” Now at this time in Chinchero, Apec was very concerned because he felt that there is a curse on the village. He has addressed Ayar, the village priest and has confidence that Ayar will help lift the curse from their small village. One day, a tall, mysterious man arrived at the village of Chinchero, claiming that his village has been destroyed in a fire that was caused by an earthquake. He went by the name of Zambo. As he approached the village, two young girls saw him and immediately fell in love with him. Although the two girls were friends, they began to bicker because they both wanted this boy for themselves. This love triangle quickly began to disrupt their lives. Because of this, Apec invited Zambo to his palace, which was a large building made of stone with a thatched roof, windows and a front door. When they reached the palace, Apec beckoned the stranger to enter his house. “Zambo, this is my wife Sura and over there is my daughter Mani.” After they were introduced to each other, Sura and Mani left. “I must be honest with you. You are a stranger and therefore nobody knows you and you cannot be trusted. You must prove yourself before you can stay in our village,” said Apec. “Oh mighty Apec, what must I do to gain your trust and prove myself to you and to your community?” questioned Zambo. “Up in the mountains, there are alpacas that need to be herded. Taking this job could prove to us that you are a worthy stranger. You must take this job. I own a small hut up on the mountain and you will stay there while you herd the alpacas. Go now, and take up your job on the mountain,” requested Apec. And with that, Zambo packed his stuff and headed up the twisting path into the rocky fields high above the village. Mani had heard the conversation between Apec and Zambo. She was captivated by his long, lighter hair, and his dark eyes. Maybe this was a man she could marry. Several times during the next few weeks, Mani went walking up on the high paths above the village. She told Apec that she was looking for smooth stones that could be used in cooking, but really, she was going to visit Zambo to give him food. One night, as darkness was falling, Mani slipped out of the village and made her way up the mountain to visit Zambo. As she made her ascent up the mountain, she slipped on some ice and fell down into a ravine. She screamed for help, but nobody was near enough to hear her. For hours, she lay in the ravine, unable to stand, because her ankle wouldn't hold her weight. As the stars gradually came out and the night grew colder, Mani began to worry. When would someone come for her? Who knew that she was up in the hills? Suddenly, she heard footsteps and saw a dark shape coming towards her. She said, "Hello? Help me!" but the dark shape did not answer. She saw that there were two shapes. Finally, she heard a snuffling sound and felt warm breath on her face. She reached out and touched the head of a alpaca. The alpacas stayed with her for the rest of the night, keeping her warm. When the stars faded and the sky became lighter, Mani realized that she was very cold. She hoped that the sun would come out soon; she had stopped shivering and was feeling very tired. She began to dream. In her dream, one of the alpacas was saying her name. "How does the alpaca know my name?" she wondered sleepily, "I never said my name." Now the alpaca was shouting at her, "Mani! Wake up!" Mani's eyes opened and she saw Zambo looking at her. Without more explanation, he lifted her and placed her on one of the alpacas. The misty morning hills drifted past as she jolted up the trail on the alpaca. When they reached his hut, he carried her inside and fed the fire with grass and sticks until Mani warmed up. At sunrise, Sura, Apec's wife, had discovered that there was no water for breakfast, so she looked in the corner for Mani and discovered that she was missing. At first, Sura had assumed that she was out getting the water, but when she went outside and looked by the stream, Mani was nowhere to be found. Sura and Apec searched the village, becoming more and more concerned. Finally, Sura and Apec sent several men down the road towards Cuzco, while the two of them went up the path towards the high pastures. They had only walked for a few minutes when they saw a Mani approaching, sitting on a llama led by Zambo. Mani's words rushed out, "Father, I am so sorry I left the house; I fell down a ravine during the night and hurt my leg. Two alpacas found me and then Zambo came looking for the alpacas and rescued me." After Apec reached out his arms and embraced Mani, he turned to Zambo. He said, “Zambo, I am very grateful that you have rescued my daughter from death. You have proven yourself and can be trusted to stay in our little village. I invite you to stay here with us and work as my assistant. Also, my daughter is of the age to get married and because she snuck out of the village to see you, she must like you. Would you consider marrying her?” asked Apec. “I would love to work as your assistant and it would be an honor to marry your daughter!” cried Zambo. The next day, Mani and Zambo got married. Everybody in the village attended and painted their faces red because Ancient Incas painted their faces different colors for different events.
 * //__ The Story of Apec __//** (//Nick Marin//)

**//__Ayar’s story__//** (//Ryan Conery//) During the past two years, times have been hard for the village of Chinchero. The corn has not grown well and many of the animals have died. Many villagers are hungry and some have become ill and died. This past winter, an avalanche roared past the town, destroying five stone huts and killing some families. The chief of the village, an elderly but strong man named Apec, decided to ask the priest, Ayar, why the town has been suffering so much. After much conversation, Ayar and Apec determined that the village must be suffering from some sort of curse, but they didn't know why. "How do we lift this curse, if we don't know where it came from," complained Apec. Later that night, Ayar prepared himself and prayed to the Sun God for many hours, asking how to reverse the curse. Finally, the Sun God replied, commanding Ayar to sacrifice two young children. Ayar thought this was an awful idea, and asked who the children were. The Sun God showed him the images of Cava and Apo, the son and daughter of a local farmer named Inti. Ayar is good friends with Inti and did not see why his children should have to die, but the Sun God was quite clear, telling him that after two days, the children would have to be sacrificed. Ayar woke up with a splitting headache the next morning. This headache was caused by communicating with the Sun God. Ayar left his hut and walked to find Apec, but on the way, Ayar met Inti, the farmer whose children needed to be sacrificed. Ayar did not want to tell Inti about the Sun God’s message, so he just greeted him and abruptly walked away. Entering Apec's house, Ayar informed Apec about what the Sun God told him. Apec agreed that the town had no choice, observing, "The Sun God does not lie." Ayar told Apec he would only perform the sacrifice if Apec would be the person who tells Inti the awful news. Apec agreed to speak with Inti that very day. Knowing that many preparations would have to be made before the sacrifice, Ayar decided to go back to his hut and rest. He drank a large cup of chicha (an alcoholic brew made from maize), a cup of coca sec, a kind of cold tea made from the coca leaf, and he took a nap. Apec informed Inti about the decision to sacrifice his youngest two children to lift the curse from the town. Inti was shocked and tried to convince Apec that there was no need for this sacrifice. Inti also told Apec that the sun god lies and that Ayar is mentally ill. Apec ignored Inti and told him to prepare his children for the sacrifice, and that he would come to retrieve them the next day. Most importantly, Apec forbid Inti from telling the two youngest children about the sacrifice--they just needed to know that they would go to a festival at the sacred cliffs above the town. They would be given new clothes and delicious foods, and be taught a new prayer song. When Apec and Ayar came to Inti’s farm the next day, Cava and Apo were not yet ready. Inti had drunk too much chicha to be helpful, and just sang songs and pounded his hnads on his chest. Inti's eldest daugter, Cuca, prepared the children by getting them dressed and painting their faces blue. When the group finally arrived at the holy stone altar high above the town, the hillside was crowded with the citizens of Chinchero. Apec was furious about their late arrival. As Inti had been ordered, he had not informed his younger children about the sacrifice. Ayar told Cava and Apo to kneel down and close their eyes. Apec handed Ayar the death stick. Ayar was in motion about to swing and then suddenly Inti shouted " Don't kill my chidren-- I caused the curse! I killed Chopec which caused the curse." Ayar and Apec had a brief consultation and then Ayar returned to the stone altar. Ayar lifted his heavy dark staff and struck Apo the younger child, in the head. Apo fell to the ground and Ayar struck Cava the same way. The townspeople were singing a loud song to the Sun God and Ayar was chanting some sacred words in a strange language. One after another, he heaved the children off of the highest stone and their bodies fell in a long arc down into the icy water of the glacial lake far below the cliff. The assembled people crept forward to see their bodies splash down and gradually sink into the cold grey water. As the people began to walk down the hill again towards the town, Apec arranged for the farmer Inti to be placed under guard until dawn the next day, when he would be brought to the “punishment cliff,” another sacred place on a different hill. The next morning at sunrise, Ayar and Apec were alone at the top of the mountain with Inti and Apec struck him with his staff in the same manner that Ayar had struck Inti's children. Inti was barely alive when they threw him off the mountain, and the long plunge onto the rocks caused his instant death. Ayar and Apec watched the body fall, confident that they had saved the town from an evil curse. Surely this year would be happy and prosperous.

I am Yutu. My parents died when I was very young, so I have never had the love of a father or a mother. Titu, my angry and solitary brother, is the best brother in the world. When I am lying in bed at night, waiting to sleep, I think about my parents and I am lonely. I want to know them and I want to feel their love. These nights of sadness made me want to find out who killed my father and took my mother away from us. I have a best friend whose name is Cuca. She lives on a farm and her father is always angry, so she visits me in the marketplace or in my small living space. When she visits, she sometimes brings cornmeal or a bit of dried fruit for me and for my brother. She also helps me braid my hair and comb it with her pretty wooden comb.
 * //__ Yutu’s story __//** (Bolin Wang)

One day, Cuca and I left the village to search for wood. From a hillside, I saw a tall stranger walking up the narrow path. I never saw a boy so handsome. His hair was very long and a yellowish color and his coat was not the style of my village. As he came closer, I saw his shining dark eyes, and my heartbeat speeded up when I looked at his face. I never had a feeling like this before. I turned back and noticed Cuca was also gazing at the stranger.

The stranger looked at us, but then looked back at the trail and kept walking towards the village.

Cuca walked over and asked, "Who was that boy? He does come from our village."

"I don’t know; I never saw him before," I answered, not wanting to talk about him with Cuca. My heart was still racing and I wanted to go back to the village to meet him. Maybe, if he has no place to stay, he could stay with me and my brother.

But Cuca laughed and said, "He looked so handsome! I think I am already in love!!" “His hair is so lovely and he’s taller than any of the boys in Chinchero.”

Her speech made me very uncomfortable. I do not know why I could have this feeling, but I can’t drive it away. I feel a knife is stabbing my heart, causing me pain both physical and emotional.

“You can’t love him!” I snapped at Cuca, “he’s mine—I saw him before you did.”

“What? I saw him first! Why can’t he be mine!” Cuca responded loudly but then she continued,

"You’re not really falling in love with him, are you?"

"I don’t know! I just do not want anyone close to him without me!" I added nervously,

“Cuca, we are the best friend, I don’t want our friendship broken because a stranger.”

“Yes, but I think love is fair that we can have a competition. You can’t be so selfish” Cuca said very seriously.

“OK, it is the same idea with me. But we are not best friends anymore.” Then, with a shrug, I escaped from Cuca’s presence and returned home.

In the same day afternoon, I lie in bed; reflect myself time and time again. I hurt my best friend because of a stranger. It is impossible if you tell me it before today. But the actually is—I lost my best friend for ever, even now I do not want to believe it. I can’t confirmation my feeling. I do not know it is love or not, I just want meet him again, when I am thinking to him, thinking to his face, I feel my face is burning and a kind of sweet full of my heart, I do not know what is love, but if this world have it, I believe the "love" is what I am feeling now.

Someday later, I do not meet Cuca for a long time. I don’t know what she is doing now and what she is thinking. But I must admit I am very missing her. I’m walking to the market to buy the food for our supper. My brother is very hard working to make money for this family. I do not want t give stress to him anymore, so I learn how to cook when I was very little, and the aunt of neighbor always said:"Yutu will become a good wife!"In the usual I was always smile to her too, but today I feel very different, become a good wife? With whom? That Mr.Stranger? What I am thinking of! I feel burning on my face again and I answered to the aunt "It is impossible, I can’t become a wife to someone, it is too shy!"

But today, I feel the market is different than the usual, what`s that? It`s feeling that someone put something hot into the ice—Air is frozen at this moment. No one is talking with each other, even is the most gossipy ladies as usual. What happened? I asked myself. But I cannot give the answer and I must find it. That is the girl what I am. At that time, someone appeared and broken the frozen air. I saw the “Mr. Stranger" He is close to me and say hello.

"Hi! Nice to see you again, you are the one of two girls that I met in front of the village right? It is too busy at that time, I am sorry that I did not introduce myself. My name is Zambo." His voice sound like the magnet makes me very comfortable.

"Hi…I…I am Yutu, Nic…e to see you…again……"I feel a little nervous and happy. He remembered me!!He remembered me! It is the best news that I have heard this days. But I am not put this on my face; I try to clam to ask him.

"Oh, you are live in there too? Why did everyone do not talk like the usual?"

"Yes, I am just living in there with a short time. You do not know what happened?" He looked very amazing.

At this moment, I heard two women talk something about Cuca.

"You know that? This days have a lot of people dead in our village, I heard my husband`s brother`s aunt`s son`s friend said that Ayar think our village was be cursed. And the cause is Inti did too much bad thing when his was young. This is the Divine punishment. the priest said the only way to solve the punishment is sacrificed two of his children sacrifice to lift the curse, and I know the two children have a sister. Her brother and sister all will die, she is also really poor, I remember she is called Cuca."

I do not know what that women talking about, Ayar is the only priest in our village and very authoritative, even the chief also very respect him. But another people I am so worry about him, Inti is Cuca`s father, her father will sacrificed two of his children? What means? Cuca`s brother and sister will die? I am really worry about her.

"Sorry, I have something must to do, see you next time!"I leave the market soon and go to find Cuca. Whatever, she is still my best friend. I want to help her.

The day that Cuca`s sister and brother will be killed. I go to the church. I noticed that always the door open church today is the door closed. It must had some strange. I decide to sneak into the church to have a watch. I see the only one priest in our village named Ayar and an old men is kneeling on the ground and confess to the priest, I know he is Cuca`s father Inti.

"The LORD God Almighty

I am a steeped in crime.

When I was young

I have killed a man

And took his wife

Her two children are my children

But I never done my duty as a father

Because I had this to be utterly devoid of conscience

So now my children need to suffer like this

May God forgive my sin…

His voice was low and full of pain. Wait a minute, me? And my brother? What does he talking about? I feel I heard this story somewhere, but the next moment I realize that it is my brother always told me the story with my parent, so that Cuca`s father is the murd who killed my father and took my mother! And Cuca’s mother is my mother! But she died because silk. What a kidding? That means Cuca is my sister? It is too dramatic! I don`t want to believe it!!I wish someone told me that everything is fake.

I can’t believe that, I leave the church without any sound and go find Cuca. I need to tell her the truth. When I find her, I saw Cuca is calm to her brother and sister dress make up. I don’t understand what is happened, but I know that Cuca is very sad too. She will lost her real sister and brother, she must love them very much. I don’t what I should do to comfort her. But nothing I can change. In our village, the priest is the authority, no one can change.

Several days later, I decide to become Cuca's sister. I told my thought to my brother, and he agree with me. We go find Cuca and tell her the story, she is very surprise for us became her brother and sister. After everything done, I know the stranger married with our priest daughter, Mani. So we are became friend again. No, we are family now. Since then we had on the ordinary and happy life. I think that the gods have given a sister like Cuca to me and my brother in order to compensate our the pain of losing parents, and give us a happier life Apo was seven years old, the little son of the farmer Inti. Although it was halfway to summer in the valleys far below, spring was just starting in the village of Chinchero, and there were still many patches of snow remaining on the hillsides. At that time, children from wealthier families were at to school receiving the education of young Incas, but Apo was not one of these children, so he usually walked to the fields and helped prepare the ground for planting.
 * //__ Apo’s story __//** (Yiyu Shi)

As if he were dreaming, Apo heard his father's voice, “Apo, time to wake up! The Sun God doesn’t like lazy children.” Waking immediately, but reluctant to leave his warm bed, Apo replied, “Yes Papa.” Inti was very strict, like most parents in the village, so Apo always listened to him and obeyed quickly. Apo put on his colorful wool clothes, which had patches sewn on them in many different shapes. After dressing, Apo went to the big room to eat breakfast. First, he had a cup of Inca tea, knowing that tea would bring him much energy all day. The main dish Apo ate was oca. oca is a type of vegetable that looks like potatoes; there are two types of Ocas, one is sweet, and the other is bitter.

Obviously, Apo enjoys the sweet more. He is always wondering why there are people prefer the bitter type, perhaps he will never know that the bitter one tastes like carrots. Anyway, he finished his oca quickly and was surprised to find out that he was already full, even though he really wanted to eat more.

He asked carefully: Papa, may I have some popcorn, just a little bit ? Popcorn had become popular during that period, and many kids liked to eat it. “ No, my boy, that is enough”, answered his father without turning his head, “let's go; time to learn something new.” Apo felt a little disappointed; however, he did not utter even a word of complaint, since he knew that his father would be quick to strike him with his hand or even his stick. Together with his father, Apo was ready to set out for farming. They do not have many tools. The major one they have is Chacquitaclla, which starts with a strong thick wood stick, holds at the top with the right hand. Next, there is a sharp plate of copper at the bottom. And it is used to soften the soil in the field. Taking the Chacquitaclla, Apo followed his father to the field. Sometimes, Apo would talk to himself, why could Cava just stay at home and play freely? But he never asks this question, he is afraid of his serious father. The sky is bright and blue, and the temperature is pretty moderate. Good weather always brings good a mood.

Apo did what Inti told him—use the Chacquitaclla to cut big pieces of ground. Actually it was not easy for a seven years old boy to work like this. Apo raised Chacquitaclla up and put it down time by time. He was trying to lever and flip the soil surface. They had to be prepared enough to grow decent food for the next season.

Apo helped a lot with the farming on that morning. However, everything seemed to go worse; some animals are getting sick really serious and corn does not grow very well. Anyway, Apo did not understand these troubles, which made his father look worried and tired all day long.

On one morning, Apo's father did not come to wake Apo up. Apo had a good dream that they were going to a big party and all dressed in fancy clothes. Later, he woke up and did not know what happened the next. During that morning, Apo heard his father talking to someone he never met. He wondered what their discussion was but forgot this thing hours later. He played with his sister Cava on that day, and Inti made a lot of popcorn for them, which seldom happened before. Apo saw his father smile a lot that day, but he did not talk much as usual.

That night, Inti gathered his two children—Cava and Apo, he said to them,“ Hey, my cute boy and girl, we are going to celebrate something tomorrow; everyone will be in beautiful new clothes, what's more, you kids will have much fun tomorrow”

Apo saw father' eyes did not look at them directly, but he did not think too much on it. “ Whoa, papa, I had a dream about this last night” Apo said loudly with a big smile. Inti looked a little nervous,“ what is your dream about? Tell me”. “ Well, we are going to have all kinds of great food and wear new clothes, that is all I can remember” Apo was smiling all the time. Inti laughed,“ Good, good, you will have much fun.”

The next day Apo got up really early and found his father sit on the bench. Did he even go to sleep last night? He also saw many potteries that around the house. It was sure that his papa drank quite much last night. Is he not happy ? Apo asked himself, then he went to put up his favorite clothes and play with Cava, who was also excited about this great party. Inti walked toward them and said in a low voice, “ let us go, kids, it is about time”. “ Yeah, yeah”, Apo and Cava were so happy. They walked for half an hour to the ceremony place, where many people had already gathered together. There were varieties of food and people were dancing, praying, and singing songs. Apo was so surprised to see this new world, which was full of cheer and happiness. He and Cava ate whatever they wanted and everyone spoke to them kindly. They were experiencing the greatest moment in their life. Apo ran around, but found no other kids, which he did not understand. Even though there were no other little boys to play with, Apo was happy eating, singing, and looking at all the people. At noon, Ayar brought Apo onto a stone stage with his sister, Cava. Apo was told to pray as well as to sing. Together with his sister, Apo sang and prayed in front of everyone. At that moment, he heard his father crying and saw that his face was streaming with tears, but the chief of the village shouted, "Silence!" Apec went and spoke to Inti quietly. Inti became loud again, saying, "The curse is my fault, not my children's!" Inti, crying, said, "I killed him. I killed him and took their mother. It's my fault." Apec and two other men wrapped cloth around Init's head and tied his arms and legs with leather ropes. Then, he was dragged to the bushes and he became silent. Apo did not know what was happening and all he could do was cry. Ayar stood over him and his sister, singing loudly. Apo turned his head around to look at his sister and suddenly saw a shape coming down towards his head; Apo cried out, but his shout was cut off by a thud, as the priest’s ceremonial club hit him. Inti’s mind went black and his body crumpled to the ground. An instant later, his sister was struck on the head also. The priest carried the two young people reverently to the highest point on the cliff and dropped them from the grey stone cliff into the icy lake far below.

I am a 14-year old girl who lived on a farm with my father Inti and my younger sister Cava and brother Apo. My sister and brother liked to play together with each other  on our field. Since my mother died after gave birth to my brother, I worked ten hours per day on housekeeping and taking care of my siblings. My father used me for household chores and child care , and I had no free time to do the things I liked, such as embroidery and singing. My siblings saw me as a mother,  because I looked after them. Furthermore ,I did not like my father, even fearing his quick temper and the stick that he carried. My father is a wicked man; he kept an eye on me everyday. Yutu, an orphan girl two years older than I, was my best friend, so I always visited her in town, in the market or in Yutu's small living quarters. Sometimes, I spoke with Yutu about my life and my family. We were just like real sisters, and relied on each other.  She also told me something about her market work and her life. Moreover, I gave Yutu some corn and other food which we grew on our farm because Yutu was so poor.
 * //__ The story of Cuca __//** (//Minye Chen)//

"Yutu, I don't know why the corn isn't growing right. Every year, we plant corn, but it hardly rains and the corn gets only as big as my thumb!  Our farm never has a good harvest, " I said to Yutu. "I see that--it's the same everywhere . <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;"> Maybe something is wrong. " she replied. "People are saying that the village is cursed <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;"> with bad luck. <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;"> Why are the gods angry? " I asked her. "Who knows <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">! Maybe someone did something really bad... " Yutu answered <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">. Then, I realized that our family h <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">ad the worst luck of all; we ha d a nice farm with good land, but nothing grew and we were always hungry. So my father <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">always want ed me to marry a rich man, so that he would be able to rest and drink all day. Everyday, we ate only a little oca, although on festivals we were allowed a bit of vicuña meat. <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">My father was an alcoholic, and he drank as an excuse to beat some people in the village.

One day, <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">Yutu and I le <span style="font-family: 宋体; font-size: 14px;">ft the village to search for firewood <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">. I reached down to pick up a large stick and I saw something moving on the path in the distance. I soon saw that it was a tall young man with strangely light hair and dark eyes. What a handsome man! I stared at him for a while as he walked towards the village. The stranger looked at me, but then looked back at the trail and kept walking toward the village. I turned back towards Yutu, and saw that she was staring at the handsome stranger. Even though I just saw him, I was jealous. Suddenly, Yutu moved her head and saw me looking at her; she realized that we both liked the same man. "What will we do," I wondered. Actually, I knew that I wanted this stranger for myself, and I knew that there would be trouble between me and my friend.

<span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">After that, Yutu didn't talk to me as much as before and I seldom came to her house to have conversations <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">with her on daily life. I thought our friendship was in danger because of that man. These feelings hurt me, <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;"> because I did not want to lose my only friend. However, Zambo attracted me so much, so I chose Zambo. On the first day he arrived in the village, I tried to see him and talk to him as much as possible. However, the chief of the village saw that Yutu and I were following Zambo around, and he gave him a job on an Alpaca farm high above the village on a mountain, so I almost never saw him again. This upset me for a week but when I returned to my life on the farm taking care of my siblings, I had little time to dream about Zambo.

Then, one day, my loved man returns with Mani, the chief ’ s daughter. Suddenly,the priest announces a village religious ceremony and I discovers that my brother and sister will be sacrificed to lift the curse that is on the village.What should I do for my siblings? Can I save them from the death? I have no idea on that. I suffer <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">s with my guilty feeling. I am <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">asked to dress my siblings and then they will die. I know the truth, but I can not tell anyone. I dress my siblings and I see their happy face. My heart is broken at that time. I really want to tell them to go, they will die soon. But I can not <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">, I can not. I am forced to help Apo and Cava dress, put on special makeup, and learn songs and prayers for the ceremony.

The next day, the priest and chief come and bring the family to the high cliff where the ceremony is held. At the ceremony, just when the priest Ayar is about to kill the children, my father cries out that he is the guilty one, not the children, and he should be punished for bringing the curse to the village.

"I need to die. Not my children. Hahaha!!!" Inti laugh <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">s with tears.

"I am the evil man, Cuca, you are Yutu's sister. You are the daughter of her mother and I. I take your mother from their father. I loves to kill. Hahaha. I bring the bad luck to the village. I bring the curse. This is me" He shout <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">s. <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">"This is too late" the priest says to my father.

I <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">am scared about what he was talking about. However, I realized that my siblings suicide in a minute. My world is dark. My family is dead. My life is destroy. My loved man loves another girl. Where can I go and what can I do. I sit on the ground and my heart is empty.

Yutu comes to me and tries to make me feel better, because I am sad to lose her siblings. I discovers that a long time ago, my father Inti murdered Yutu and Titu ’ s father and stole our mother. Inti is tied and left in the grass near the village. The next day after the ceremony, my father is thrown from a punishment cliff. My <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">evil father died, but I am not so sad with that. I know he is bad, and he should pay for what he did. I feel free now. I am free now. My guilty father is died and I can start my new life. <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;">This is the time for the rebirth. My sister Yutu and my brother Titu embrace me and invite me to live with them. I think I will have a better life with out the bad luck. <span style="font-family: '宋体'; font-size: 14px;"> We give each other a big hug and go home together.

This is a story of a man named Inti. Inti is a small town farmer who has hit some rough patches in his life and has done some things that he is not particularly proud of but now is paying the price. With his farm hardly producing any corn and all his animals growing sick and dyeing. Two of his three kids have been chosen to be sacrificed. His wife died in labor giving birth to his youngest child named Apo. One day Inti was out plowing his fields when he saw the priest arrive at his house. Having a man of such import ants come to your home wasn't a common thing, and it could mean one of two this, someone is getting sacrificed or someone is getting married. “Inti I have something to discus with you” said the priest. “What is it sir?” asked Inti in a harsh tone. Inti was not particularly fond of the priest, actually Inti wasn't really fond of anyone except for his two youngest children. “Well as you obviously know are village is going through some rough times, with your farm not producing nearly enough produce to feed us all, and there hasn’t been rain in days” “Yes, what do you suggest we do about this problem?” “Well the other night the gods came to me in my dream and announced to me that there is to be a sacrifice.” “Do you need some of my alpaca?” “It’s a little more serious than that, Inti” “What are you saying priest?” “Well Inti we are going to need your two youngest children its all been decided.” “There must be another way sir, please my kids are all I have left after my wife died!” “I am truly sorry but you must understand this is the only way.” Later that night Inti starts to drink; this is normal for him of course. Tonight was different though he was drinking more than normal. Before long Inti was quite intoxicated and was throwing pottery around. This is a side of Inti that not many people have seen and lived to talk about it. Inti gets very violent when he drinks a lot and a few times has resulted in the death of a few men. The most resent was Chopec. Soon Inti starts yelling at his oldest daughter for forgetting to clean up after there dinner, which lacked food; Inti had enough control to not hit her this time but came very close. The next day Inti pulled his oldest daughter aside and discussed with her about the sacrifice. “Daughter of mine, I have heard terrible things, things that will make eyes begin to water,” says Inti. “What is it father? What have you heard?” asks Cuca. “Your two younger siblings Apo and Cava have to be sacrificed in order to save the village from the treacheries that have been going on” “Father no! There must be something we can do!” “I have a plan, but I need you to help get them ready for the day” “Okay I will do that” “Good, your brother and sister can not know about the sacrifice” The next day is the day of the sacrifice, the two children are all dressed up and they are ready to go, thinking that they are going to a big party. Inti and the three children begin the short walk to the top of the hill where the sacrifice is supposed to take place. When they get to the top of the hill the entire town is already they’re waiting for them. “You’re late,” shouts the priest “I’m sorry, took a little longer to get them ready then expected” says Inti “Okay well lets begin,” The band starts playing and the kids are given very luxurious foods. The singing and dancing goes on for a while. After the music slows down the priest goes up next to the boy raises a large stick and is about to strike him over the head, but before he does Inti shouts out “STOP!” Everyone stops and the priest asks “what is it Inti?” Inti pulls him aside and begins to tell the priest how it is his fault the village is cursed and that the kids should not be punished for his wrong doings. The priest now has Inti tied up and thrown in some shrubs while they finish the sacrifice. That night Inti is kept in a small smelly jail cell, all alone except for his thoughts. He wonders what his oldest daughter will do with him dead and her siblings dead. Will she be enslaved will she get married and have to move away? The next day Inti is brought up to the punishment cliff a cold ugly place with the sight of many skeletons down below. After the priest tells him his punishment and why he is being punished Inti is heaved off the cliff and slowly fall down to the jagged rocks below. the fall seems to last forever all that is going threw his mind on the way to his terrible inevitable death is that it was all his fault that his kids had to be killed.
 * //__ Inti’s story __//** (//Jack Howard//)

As I woke up, I heard the sounds of the jungle and of the village beginning to come to life. I woke up early to help my mother with chores and as I cleaned the outside of the house I looked up at the blue sky and sighed. I sighed because I wasn’t ready to face my father and discuss the idea of marriage. Marriage was an idea that I did not have the ability or stamina to talk about. Besides, there weren’t many notable boys in this village and there certainly weren’t any boys that were capable of love. I knew that soon I would have to grow up, but I didn’t expect it to come this fast. Later that day my father came home with a stranger, his name was Zambo. My father is the chief of the village and it’s his personal duty to ensure that everyone living in the village is provided for and content. He brought the stranger to our home to welcome him into the village, but I believe it was because he wanted to interrogate the man and learn more about where he came from. Even though this strange man suddenly just appeared at our home, I wasn’t complaining because it kept my conversation with father at bay. However, the longer I looked upon this man, the more fascinated I became with him. He had fair long hair, eyes as dark as the night, and skin that was lighter than any of the villagers. Father spoke to him cautiously and curiously asked, “What brings you here to our village my friend?” Zambo raised his eyebrows and replied, “My village met an unfortunate fate and burned to the ground.” Father looked across at mother and I stayed where I was, watching from the corner of the room. As a woman and a daughter, I wasn’t allowed to partake in the conversation between the two men, but I patiently listened and observed the conversation taking place. I couldn’t stop staring at him, but I didn’t dare to look directly at him, so instead I looked up at him through my eyelashes. His past was so mysterious and it was clear that my father didn’t trust him at all because shortly after hearing his vague background story my father said, “I’m very sorry Zambo, but I cannot decide what role is best for you in this village. For now, your job will be to herd the Alpacas up on the mountain and you’ll live in my hut up on the mountainside. Once I have gotten to know more about your character, you will be able to live a more suitable life here in the village.” “Thank you for your generosity and I hope that one day I will be able to prove myself to you.” As Zambo answered, his face showed no emotion, but I caught the slightest glimmer of disappointment in his eyes. I as I turned my head towards Zambo, he got up at the same moment and our eyes met. In the moment that our eyes met, I felt as if time stopped and I don’t think that I was alone in this feeling. He sharply inhaled and turned away as he walked out the door, but my eyes followed him until he was out of the house. Then I turned and watched him walk through the village from the doorframe. As I watched him walk, I noticed that two of the village girls, Cuca and Yutu were watching him as well. They followed him with their eyes and the emotion in their eyes was quite clear, it was love. The next couple of days were all a blur, the priest Ayar came and told my father that in order to resolve our bad luck we must offer two sacrifices to the gods. I over heard a lot of their conversation, but instead of trying to decode their words and figure out their intentions, I sat by the door and watched the village people working. However, I wasn’t interested in the farmers or the slaves going about their lives, I was only interested in looking for the mysterious Zambo. Soon enough, I saw him walking down the mountain path, but just as I was about to get up the priest yelled. I turned around and stared at him, he was not a special priest and all he cared about was money and earning a high ranking among priests. He sat in my house now on my pillows dressed in a cumbi decorated tunic making noises that I had never heard a human being make before. My respect for Ayar dropped every time I had to see him. Then he yelled out two names, “The children Apo and Cava have been chosen by the gods!" My father looked at him with a grim face because he didn’t like to sacrifice children, but he would always end up doing it for the sake of the village. I watched as my father nodded with a blank stare and Ayar left the house and went outside. My eyes followed him to the small and dirty house of the farmer Inti. I knew what happened next, Ayar would tell him and his oldest daughter Cuca that the two young children in their household were going to be offerings to the gods. I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts because they were too sad and I didn’t have time to cry for children I hardly knew. So, after Ayar had fully entered Inti’s house, I quietly crept out of my house, but had to be fast so that my father wouldn’t see or notice me leaving. I wanted to go see Zambo, but my eyes had lost track of him after Ayar’s obscene demonstration of his “religious” callings. So, I decided to take the mountain path to try and find him up on the mountain. The jungle seemed to almost fade away as I hiked up the path farther and farther away from the village, but I didn’t look back once because I knew I would become nervous if I looked and saw how high up I was. Soon I reached the mountainside where the alpacas were grazing and I laughed out loud at the sight of them. The alpacas chewed their food with slow jaws and it was funny to watch them eat slowly with such a sleepy-looking expression on their faces. However, Zambo was no where to be found on this side of the mountain, so I decided to hike towards the other side to see if he was over there, but as I walked I didn’t watch my step and I fell. I hit the rocky mountain dirt and went rolling down the hill like a rock that the village children toss as a game. The whole world was spinning as I went, but I didn’t close my eyes once as I rolled faster and faster down the mountain. Finally, I dropped into a ravine, but this circumstance wasn’t any better than the first one. I was covered in foul smelling mud and my once beautifully embroidered tunic was dull with the color of the mountain dirt. I tried to get up, but a sharp excruciating pain in my ankle kept me from rising. My breath caught in my throat with panic, how was I going to get out of here? Realizing how trapped and alone I truly was, I yelled as loud as my lungs would let me, “Help! Is anybody there? I’m hurt and I can’t move! Somebody? Please help me…” I trailed off knowing my attempts were futile. The sky began to darken and the night air became cooler when the sun was no longer present. I shivered and tried to keep warm, but it was no use because I knew that I wouldn’t make it unless someone were to find me in the next couple of hours, but then two alpacas appeared at the top of the ravine. They swiftly moved down the rocky side of the ravine. I held my hand out to them and they brushed up against it, they were telling me that they trusted me. They circled around me a few times and then eventually, to my surprise, settled down around me. The three of us stayed like that all night, the alpacas curled around me to keep me warm, and myself deep in sleep. The next morning I woke up to a man yelling, “Come here you lost animals! It’s time to come back now!” In response, I got up frantically and accidently woke up the alpacas with my yelling, “Help! Please help me!!! I have fallen in a deep ravine and can’t get out!” Then, in turn the man replied, “I’m coming, just hold on a little longer.” Sure enough, I heard the man’s footsteps come closer to where I was trapped. Then, Zambo appeared over the ledge looking down at me and the sleepy alpacas surrounding me. He laughed and said, “How did the chief’s daughter end up in this mess?” I blushed as he began to pull me up and said, “I was actually looking for you.” He stared at me with his dark eyes and replied, “Why would you ever want to find me?” “I wanted to find you because I think you’re interesting and my father didn’t give you much of a chance to prove yourself.” I left out the part of me being in love with him in my answer. Zambo shook his head and hoisted me up on one of the alpaca’s backs and led me down the mountain to my father’s house. There, my father and mother were crying and praying for my safe return. The minute they saw me, they ran to get me from Zambo and I was surprised because it was an embarrassment for a noble family to show such affection to the public. They thanked Zambo repeatedly and ushered him inside. My father sat in his newly embroidered tunic and gave much respect to Zambo, but it was so strange to see him honoring a stranger that he had disliked a few days prior. Then my father said, “Zambo, you have saved my daughter's life at expense to your own. I humbly apologize for our daughter’s reckless behavior.” I grew red with anger, I did not want him embarrassing me in front of the man that I was falling in love with, but then Zambo replied, “Please do not be angry with her, it was my fault that she snuck away and hurt herself.” “What ever do you mean?” My father asked with a furrowed brow. “She stole away to try and see me.” Zambo replied with a steady stare as I glanced up at him with wonder. “Is this true?” My father questioned. “Yes, it is. I believe that I’m in love with him, father.” I replied and my father looked shocked because only days ago I had told him I never wished to marry. “Then to show my gratitude, you must be married. Unless this is not what you wish Zambo?” Said my father. Zambo smiled and said, “No, this is what I wish with all my heart.” “Then it’s settled!” My father said with a jubilant smile. Zambo and I exchanged shy glances; I couldn’t believe that I had gotten my wish to be with such a wondrous man.
 * //__ Mani’s Story __//** (//Kiley Tevlin//)

The wedding ceremony took place a few days later after the sacrifice of Inti’s children. I could hardly fall asleep the night before, but I couldn’t feel the sting of tiredness because of my excitement. My mother giggled as she watched me fidget with my tunic as she combed my hair. Suddenly, tears started to flow down my cheeks as I realized that this would be the last time that my mother would comb my hair as a girl. I turned and hugged my mother while whispering, “I love you mother. I couldn’t have asked the gods for a better mother.” “Oh Mani, I love you too and I pray that the gods will watch over you for me. You will always be my daughter and don’t ever forget that I will always be here for any advice that you need.” After she finished speaking, my mother shed a few tears herself and went back to combing my hair. Finally, I was ready and my eyes couldn’t believe the transformation that had taken place. My hair was sleek and shinned like the sun; the tunic that I wore was intricately embroidered with brightly colored patterns and felt silky and cool on my skin. Then, my eyes wandered up and I was amazed at the wonders that my mother had worked upon my face. She had powered and painted my face to a godly perfection and a small gasp left my lips as I realized how stunning I looked. Slowly, my mother led me to my sandals and they were the finest leather sandals that I had ever seen. After putting on my sandals, my mother and I walked towards the ceremonial cliff with jungle flowers in my hand. As we approached the cliff, I could see the majority of the villagers waiting with warm smiles on their faces, but my head quickly turned down as I neared the edge where Zambo and the priest waited for me. Finally, I reached my destination in front of the priest and Zambo, but as I turned my body towards Zambo, his hand lifted my face up to meet his eyes. The priest, Ayar, then said a few traditional rites and then had us switch our sandals to symbolize our unity. Finally, Zambo and I left together to go to our new home with the sounds of joyous shouts from the villagers echoing behind us. Once we were alone in our new home, Zambo and I shared a meal that I prepared and I had never tasted a sweeter meal. I felt as if I had cooked every ounce of love I could manage into the food just for Zambo and hopefully he could taste it. Before it was time for bed, I went outside and looked at the stars and thanked the gods for my luck. Finally, I took a deep breath in and remembered how the night air smelled as I went back inside to Zambo.

I am 11 years old girl, Cava, live in the village of Chinchero, son of the farmer Inti, I loves my older sister almost as my mother. I didn’t remember my mother, who died during the birth of my younger brother. My father is an angry farmer who seldom says anything, and sometimes hits me for not obeying quickly enough. My father was a famer who grow the corns and potatoes a lot to sell to the people who live in the village. I was playing around in front of the house and I saw a lot of people doing the textile products because in this time period the textile was the famous products in this time. One day, the local priest comes to visit and has a long talk with my father Inti. Because somethings going not good to my dad and make him really mad because he thinks was his fault and being very angry. Afterwards, my father is angry and drinks too much. He feels guilty because he did the bad things to people he want to confess the bad things he did. The next morning, my father Inti calls for me and my brother to come and sit down with him to have a talk with him. He explains that there will be a very important holiday for me and Apo will be given new clothes and the best food. I was surprise that my father was giving me and my brother good food and nice clothes. Because we never had that special things and food since we live in this village. I was asking that “What food we are going to have dad?” “You guys are going to have Guinea Pigs.” replied my dad. “Wow that’s sounds pretty good.” “Hey are you exciting today’s party Apo?” Apo: “Yes that’s sounds pretty good to me and we are going to have good food and nice clothes today.” That's was awesome. He tells us to have a new song to sing during the festival. And the priest Ayar was teaching us the song we are going to sing. The priest Ayar comes by the house to help us practice the song of prayer. The next day, early in the morning, my father Inti and my sister Cuca help me and Apo prepare for the ceremony. “ Hey Cuca can you help me dress up?” “Yes, my sister, I will help you do that”replied Cuca. " I am exciting about the ceremony today Cuca" "Are you" replied Cuca " Yes I am. Because I can see a lot of friends because this is the first time that the whole village people get together and play, sing. replied me. The chief of the village and the head priest come to the house and all of them walk up to the ceremony place high above the village. As soon Apo and I walk to the top of the village with my sister and my dad. We see that everybody in the village over there and celebrate. They eat, sing, and pray. The is the first time that we have a big ceremony in the village.  Finally, the time comes when the priest takes me and Apo to the stone stage and the village sings to them and we sing back to the village. I didn't know anythings about this ceremony the only things I know is I have good food and great clothes.  When the sun is at its highest, the priest raises his large stick above his head and brings it down hard on my head, breaking my young skull. There is blood and pain, and the whole village thinks that I have been killed. However, I still live. My whole body feels sleepy, and I cannot move at all. The priest picks up my body and throws me off the cliff into a deep, cold lake that has big chunks of ice floating in the water. I feel the cold water all around me and on my face, and then I see the night come rushing towards me and I feel as though I am in a deep sleep. While I sleep, I feel the cold all around her and I dream that I raise high into the sky, so high that I can look down on the village and see the people singing and the sun setting and the yellow stars coming out one at a time. Then, the dream fades away.
 * //__ Cava’s Story __//**** ( **// Chih-Lo Su //** ) **