The Sleeping Woman and the Popocatepetl hill. Mexican stories for children

Tonatiuh, the Sun God, lived with his family in heaven where darkness and anguish were not known. The son of the Sun God was Prince Izcozauhqui who loved the gardens. One day the prince heard about the beautiful gardens of Mr. Tonacatecuhtli, so he was curious to meet them. The plants there looked g

Tonatiuh, the Sun God, lived with his family in heaven where darkness and anguish were not known. The son of the Sun God was Prince Izcozauhqui who loved the gardens.

One day the prince heard about the beautiful gardens of Mr. Tonacatecuhtli, so he was curious to meet them. The plants there looked greener and the meadows fresh and dewy. Upon discovering a glittering lagoon he came to see her and there he met a woman who came out of the waters dressed in silver dresses. They fell in love immediately with the blessing of the gods. They spent time together, traveling one sky and another. But the gods forbade them to go beyond heaven.

Short Mexican legend to read the children

The lovers knew the firmament. The curiosity to know what there was under the sky caused that they descended to know the earth. There, life was different. The sun did not shine all the time, but it rested at night. There were more colors, textures, sounds and animals than in all the heavens.

The princes, discovering that the earth was more beautiful than the celestial paradises decided to stay and live in it forever. The place chosen for his dwelling was near a lake, next to valleys and mountains.

The gods, furious at the disobedience of the couple, decided a punishment. The princess suddenly became ill, Izcozauhqui's efforts to alleviate her were futile. The woman knew that this was the sanction of the gods.

The princess, before dying, asked Izcozauhqui to take her to a mountain in order to be next to the clouds, so that, when he returned with his father, he could see her closer from the sky. It was his last words, then he stayed still and white as snow.

The prince walked days and nights until he reached the top of the mountain. He lit a torch near her, watched over her, as if the princess was asleep. Izcozauhqui stayed next to her, without moving, until he died. She became the sleeping woman Iz (Iztaccihuatl) and he in the smoking hill (Popocatépetl).