The Condor and the Maiden
Long ago, in the high mountains of the Andes, a beautiful maiden would often sing while tending to her llamas. One day, a mighty condor heard her sweet voice and became enchanted. Desiring her for himself, the condor transformed into a handsome young man and approached her.
The maiden, captivated by his presence, agreed to walk with him. Suddenly, he revealed his true form, grasped her in his powerful talons, and soared into the sky. He took her to his nest high on a rocky peak, where she was trapped and alone.
Days passed, and the maiden wept, longing for her family and the fields below. A tiny hummingbird noticed her tears and flew back to the village to tell her father. Moved by his daughter’s plight, he sought help from a wise old shaman.
The shaman devised a plan and gave the father enchanted food to weaken the condor. When the condor left to hunt, the father climbed the steep cliff and gave his daughter the food. When the condor returned and ate, he grew tired and fell into a deep sleep.
Seizing the moment, the father and daughter carefully climbed down the peak, escaping to the valley below. The condor awoke and circled the skies, searching and crying out in vain. Since that day, the condor’s mournful call echoes across the Andes, a reminder of his loss and longing.