Under the moonlight on the Sacred Mountain
This first story, “Under the moonlight on the Sacred Mountain,” draws inspiration from the pre-Columbian Moche and Chimú cultures and tells the adventure of Princess Cao, who, tired of the loneliness of the palace, discovers friendship thanks to the magical squirrel Zaña, the young fisherman Licapa, and his group of friends. When they are discovered, Cao, Licapa, and Zaña embark on a dangerous mission to save their friends from captivity. This story conveys values such as true friendship, empathy, and compassionate leadership.
I
An unexpected friend
Long ago, there was an indigenous kingdom near the coast where a princess named Cao lived. Although she lived in a palace filled with luxuries and servants who attended to her every need, the princess felt lonely. Her father, the King, a descendant of the kingdom’s mythical founder, was overprotective of her and forbade her from leaving the palace. Her mother, the Queen and high priestess of the moon goddess, wanted her daughter to be the best in the kingdom and would not allow her to interact with common people.
Cao loved her parents and obeyed their instructions. The princess spent her days inside the palace, studying the customs and rituals of her people and chatting with nobles who offered false friendship and sought only the favor of the kings. The princess longed for true friends, not the flatterers she usually associated with.
One day, while walking through the palace’s ceremonial garden, Cao saw a squirrel. The princess felt lonely and, without thinking, told the squirrel about her problems. To her surprise, the squirrel replied, introducing itself as Zaña, a magical squirrel.
Zaña revealed that squirrels had lived in those lands long before the arrival of humans and had agreed to share the territory when the “King from beyond the sea” arrived. Cao listened to Zaña’s story and realized she was referring to her ancestor; moreover, the palace walls bore relief carvings of squirrels, fish, and seabirds.
Zaña sensed the princess’s sadness, offered her friendship, and promised to help her escape the palace. Cao hesitated for a moment at the thought of disobeying her parents, but the excitement of discovering the kingdom beyond the palace walls convinced her to accept the squirrel’s help. Zaña guided Cao through passages of the palace that the princess had never seen before.
II
Adventure outside the palace
Cao followed Zaña, and they finally stepped outside. For the first time, without the protection of her escort and royal litter, the princess gazed out over the kingdom. On Zaña’s advice, Cao concealed her identity, and together they ventured through the city streets.
The princess watched the people while Zaña, leaning on her shoulder, explained the daily lives of those who lived outside the palace. Cao stopped in front of a market stall where she noticed a sick woman. Zaña explained that she was the mother of the shopkeeper, who was working hard to save up for the healer’s fee.
Taking advantage of a moment when the shopkeeper wasn’t looking, the princess approached the sick woman to examine her. Cao was able to identify the illness afflicting the woman and asked for some medicinal herbs, which she used to prepare a remedy that, over the course of a few days, would improve the woman’s health. The shopkeeper thanked the princess and gave her some free goods.
On Zaña’s advice, Cao moved away from the market to avoid attracting the attention of the people who were beginning to gather around the stall to ask what had happened. The squirrel led the princess to the beach. There, Zaña congratulated Cao for helping the sick woman. The princess replied that she had learned the healing arts from her mother.
On the beach, Cao watched with fascination as fishermen in the distance performed their activities on reed rafts. The princess looked out at the vast sea and recalled that her father had told her how her ancestor had come from a distant land and helped the people of these lands to farm and rebuild.
Cao snapped out of her reverie when she heard the voice of a young fisherman asking for help pushing his raft out to sea. The princess seized the opportunity and agreed to help the boy in exchange for a ride on his raft.
The boy introduced himself as Licapa. Zaña whispered in Cao’s ear, and the princess introduced herself as Quilla, a visitor who had just arrived in the kingdom with her family.
Upon learning she was new to the city, Licapa offered his friendship to Quilla, teaching her about his trade and the kingdom as he gave her a ride on his raft. Cao spent the afternoon sailing. She felt the sea breeze ruffling her hair and tasted the salt in her mouth.
When they returned to the beach, Zaña whispered to Cao that she had to go back to the palace. Licapa invited Quilla to meet him tomorrow so he could teach her more. The princess gladly accepted and went home.
Over the next few days, Cao and Zaña snuck out of the palace and met up with Licapa. The boy introduced Quilla to other kids in the city. For the first time, Cao played and had fun like a normal girl, without worrying about etiquette or social status.
When she returned home, Cao’s parents noticed an improvement in their daughter’s mood and better performance in her studies. Although they didn’t know what had caused this change, her parents were happy for her.
III
Crime and Punishment
On one occasion, Cao was seen leaving the palace by one of the flattering nobles. The man secretly followed the princess and saw her meeting with the commoners. Unsuspecting, Cao returned home, looking forward to another day of playing with her friends.
The next day, Cao was getting ready to leave the palace, but her servants stopped her and informed her that her parents were waiting for her in the audience hall. Intrigued, the princess went to the hall. On the way, she thought she heard a great commotion outside the palace. Upon arriving at the hall, Cao saw that her parents were waiting for her alongside the nobles. The princess watched in fear as Licapa and her friends were taken into custody by the royal guard.
In a stern tone, the King announced that the nobles accused the princess of sneaking out of the palace and associating with those kids. The King softened his voice and asked his daughter if these accusations were true. Cao could not lie to her father; she confirmed her outings and her friendship with the kids.
The nobles shouted that it was an insult to royalty and demanded an exemplary punishment for the kids. Cao interceded on behalf of her friends and begged her parents for mercy. The King ordered the nobles and his daughter to be silent, then addressed the kids and declared that they had done no wrong, but the law was the law, and not even kings were above it.
A long, uncomfortable silence fell over the room as they awaited the royal judgment. The King appeared conflicted, knowing there was no easy way out of this dilemma. The Queen approached her husband, and they whispered to each other. Finally, the King declared that the children deserved a chance to prove their worth.
Licapa was chosen by the King to undertake a journey to the sacred mountain and retrieve the scepter that belonged to the kingdom’s founder. If Licapa succeeded in his mission, the children would be pardoned on the condition that they never meet with the princess again. The audience ends. Licapa departs immediately without speaking a word to Cao. Outside the palace, the people who had gathered to protest are informed of the King’s decree. Upon seeing Licapa leave, the crowd parted and accompanied him to the kingdom’s borders, offering words of encouragement.
As everyone left the audience hall, the princess went to her parents to ask for the kids’ release. However, the King and Queen ignored her request and punished Cao for leaving the palace without permission, putting herself and some innocent children at risk. The royal guards escorted the princess to her room.
Cao felt guilty about everything that had happened. Zaña came to comfort the princess and told her that her parents didn’t want to punish her friends, but they couldn’t let them go either. The mission the King had given Licapa was to try to save the children. However, the mission would not be easy for Licapa. The squirrel promised to speak with the other animals and keep the princess informed of Licapa’s progress.
Cao spent the next few days confined to her room. The princess received visits only from her tutors and her mother. To cheer her daughter up, the Queen taught Cao an advanced magic spell that allowed her to take the form of an animal for a short time. Cao was unable to master the spell. With a smile, the Queen encouraged Cao to keep practicing. The princess learned that her father was still upset about her runaways. Her mother advised her to be good and follow her heart, the heart never lies.
IV
Mission on the Sacred Mountain
One day, Zaña rushed into the princess’s room. The squirrel told her that Licapa had managed to enter the Sacred Mountain, but had gotten lost along the way. Cao was worried when she heard the news; she had to help her friend.
Zaña remarked that the mountain was far away; even if she wanted to help Licapa, she wouldn’t arrive in time. Cao remembered the magic her mother had taught her and focused on it. The princess’s desire to help her friend allowed her to take the form of a bird. Cao picked up Zaña, and together they flew off toward the Sacred Mountain.
Upon reaching the mountain, Cao returned to her human form. Zaña led the princess to the place where the animals had told her they had last seen Licapa.
Cao followed her friend’s trail through the thick mountain forest and found him unconscious, trapped by a vine. Zaña warned the princess to be careful; that plant captured anyone who approached and would not let them go. Using a couple of branches and imitating the sound of a wounded animal, Cao managed to trick the vine and free Licapa.
When he woke up, the boy thanked her for the rescue, but he was still angry with Cao for lying to him about her identity. The princess apologized; it was never her intention to hurt anyone, she just wanted to have friends. Cao understood that Licapa was upset with her, but now they had to work together to recover the scepter and save the others. Licapa put his anger aside and accepted Cao’s help.
V
Challenges
Cao and Licapa ventured deep into the forest. Realizing they had no idea where to go, the princess asked Zaña if she knew the way. The squirrel replied that even the animals stayed away from the Sacred Mountain. Licapa was surprised to hear the squirrel speak and told Cao how lucky she was to have a magical animal as a pet. Cao corrected Licapa and pointed out that Zaña was her friend. The squirrel was happy to hear the princess’s words and continued her story.
Zaña told the children that in ancient times, the mountain was home to the god Kon, the flying feline. Kon was a kind god, but one day the humans forgot about him, and he disappeared without a trace. The god’s absence caused a terrible drought on the earth, and humans were on the verge of extinction.
The moon goddess took pity on the earth and sent the “King from beyond the sea,” who taught the people how to farm and rebuild. It is said that the moon goddess made the Sacred Mountain her home. However, Kon’s magical followers—foxes, monkeys, and lizards—still inhabit the mountain and attack travelers, as they remain upset over their god’s disappearance.
Zaña declares that she cannot protect them from Kon’s followers. Even though she is also a magical animal, she is only a squirrel.
Cao and Licapa listened with concern to Zaña’s story. For a moment, the children considered turning back and returning to the kingdom. The memory of their captive friends gave Cao and Licapa the motivation to press on and complete their mission.
With Zaña’s help, the children made their way unnoticed through the forest. As night fell, Cao and Licapa rested while the magical squirrel stood guard. With the arrival of the new day, the journey continued.
On one occasion, Cao and Licapa had a heart-to-heart conversation where they came to the conclusion that true friendship knew no social barriers. Licapa realized he couldn’t stay angry—whether it was Cao or Quilla, the fact was that she was his friend. For her part, Cao understood that there were no differences between them; royalty or commoners, everyone was a person who deserved a dignified life.
The children’s chatter caught the attention of a pack of magical foxes. Zaña didn’t notice the foxes until it was too late, and all she could do was shout at the children to run. Cao grabbed Zaña and fled with Licapa as the wild foxes gave chase. A wrong turn left the children trapped, and they were quickly surrounded by the foxes.
Zaña jumped from Cao’s arms and tried to defend the children, but she was wounded by the foxes. Cao and Licapa armed themselves with branches to defend themselves and drove the foxes away from Zaña. Cao picked up the squirrel and used her healing arts to treat her wounds. Licapa did his best to keep the foxes at bay, but it wasn’t enough.
A roar echoed through the forest, and a large puma appeared. The feline’s presence scared the foxes away. The puma turned toward Cao and Licapa and approached them, baring its fangs and claws. Though they were afraid of the feline, Cao and Licapa stayed together for protection. Neither was going to abandon the other.
Finally, the puma broke its silence and praised their bravery. The feline showed a friendly face and guessed that the children were looking for the Temple of the Moon, offering them advice on how to find their way. It also told them that the wild beasts would not bother them again.
Before the puma left, Cao approached the feline and thanked it for its help. The puma smiled back at the princess and disappeared into the forest. Cao told Licapa that there was an aura of royalty and a familiar voice in that puma. It was a strange feeling that the princess could not understand.
Zaña woke up, and the group continued on their way, following the puma’s advice.
VI
The loyalty test
At dusk on the second day, the friends arrived at the place indicated by the puma. A massive wall surrounded the Temple of the Moon. Licapa tried to climb the wall, but gave up when he realized it seemed to rise endlessly before him. Zaña remarked that it was a magical wall designed to keep out intruders.
While Licapa and Zaña discussed how to get past the wall, Cao explored the surroundings and found a decorated door. The princess called her friends over, and they examined the inscriptions on the door. Cao remarked that she recognized some of the inscriptions, but others belonged to civilizations older than her own, and she couldn’t read them.
Licapa pushed the door with all his strength to open it, but the door would not budge. A laugh caught the attention of Cao, Licapa, and Zaña. Perched on a branch of a nearby tree, an owl was watching them. The bird addressed the friends in a feminine voice full of wisdom. The owl revealed that only the worthy could enter the temple and stand before the mirror of water where the moon goddess lived.
The bird congratulated the friends on having come so far, but revealed that the doors would not open for them if their motives were selfish. Cao replied that they sought neither glory nor fortune; they only wanted to save their friends.
The owl listened to Cao’s words and realized she was of royal blood. The bird decided to test Cao and Licapa with three questions. If they answered correctly, it would open the temple door for them. The friends accepted the owl’s challenge.
The first was a question of knowledge. Cao answered without difficulty, recalling her studies at the palace and, in particular, her mother’s lessons.
The second question was about the well-being of the people outside the palace. Licapa answered. The boy spoke highly of the kings’ rule; there was justice and prosperity in the kingdom, even though the people only saw the kings at ceremonies and festivities. Licapa noted that Cao was good and thought she would make a fine ruler.
The third question required the friends to give a single answer. Cao and Licapa couldn’t agree; either of their answers could be correct. Zaña stepped in and helped the children coordinate their answers. Thanks to the squirrel, Cao and Licapa answered the owl’s question.
The owl pointed out that they had cheated by accepting Zaña’s help. They had failed the test; however, they had done well up to that point, so she would ask them one last question. The owl warned the squirrel not to intervene.
The owl’s final question left the friends in a dilemma. The bird asked Cao and Licapa if, to save their friends in captivity, one of them would be willing to stay on the mountain and never return home.
Cao and Licapa hesitated for a moment. Both were young and had their whole lives ahead of them. Besides, their families were waiting for them and would be sad if they never returned. Cao was the first to step forward and say that she should stay to take responsibility for the problem she had caused.
Before the owl could render its judgment, Licapa intervened and declared that he should be the one to stay on the mountain; Cao had to return to rule, as he trusted that she would change the way the royal family relates to the people. The friends argued.
The owl put an end to the discussion and demanded their final answer. Cao and Licapa looked at each other and held hands, thanking each other for having met and for their friendship. The friends replied to the owl that they would both stay. Their journey was to rescue their friends from captivity. If they had to stay on the mountain to achieve that, then they gladly accepted. Besides, if they both stayed, they could keep each other company and wouldn’t be alone.
The owl declared that they had passed the test. Their bonds of friendship and loyalty were stronger than any magic. The temple door opened before Cao and Licapa. The owl told the friends they could enter.
VII
The Temple of the Moon
Cao, Licapa, and Zaña entered the Temple of the Moon. As they made their way through the temple, Licapa asked Zaña why the owl had forbidden her from intervening. The squirrel replied that magical animals are not allowed to meddle in human affairs. Licapa pointed out that the owl had helped them with the door, which went against the rule.
Cao replied that there was something unusual about that owl; she could sense a familiar aura in her. She felt the same way about the puma. The princess asked Zaña if she knew anything, but the squirrel replied that she couldn’t say for sure.
The friends reached the temple’s sanctuary, where they gazed upon a clearing with a beautiful lake of crystal-clear water. The night sky cleared, and the moon shone, reflecting on the lake. Cao remarked that it was similar to the sacred well in the palace where her mother and other priests prayed to the moon goddess. The princess knelt before the lake with her eyes closed and repeated the words she had heard from her mother. Licapa and Zaña did the same and bowed their heads.
A presence descended upon the lake. Cao told Licapa and Zaña to keep their eyes closed. The mysterious presence spoke in a woman’s voice and acknowledged the visitors’ achievements. The goddess noted that Cao possessed the strength of a king and the wisdom of a high priestess. She recognized Licapa’s bravery on the mission and his kindness in accepting and treating the princess with respect. Finally, the goddess mentioned the loyalty of a meddlesome squirrel.
The goddess granted them her blessing and told them to go in peace. The presence vanished. When Cao opened her eyes, she saw the founder’s scepter before her. Cao and Licapa held the scepter. The next thing they remembered was daylight and that they were far from the mountain. They did not know how they had made their way back. Zaña said it must have been a gift from the moon goddess.
VIII
Return
The friends made their way back to the kingdom. Rumors about Cao and Licapa’s journey had spread throughout the city. Seeing them return triumphant, the people welcomed them as heroes. The friends basked in the people’s warmth and entered the palace, where nobles, priests, and kings were waiting for them. The captive children were held by the royal guard.
Cao and Licapa presented the scepter before the court. The King and Queen stood up and applauded the children’s feat. The Queen walked over to them, extended her hand to receive the scepter, and returned to the King’s side to confirm that the scepter was authentic.
The King congratulated them both on completing the mission and ordered the guards to release the captive children. The children ran to Licapa and thanked him for saving them. Licapa accepted his friends’ affection, but told them he could not have done it without Cao’s help. The children surrounded Cao with hugs, and it seemed as though they had never been apart.
The kings, priests, and nobles watched the scene unfold. The King spoke up and declared that everyone had learned a valuable lesson that day. The children’s courage, friendship, and loyalty had overcome the social barriers of the adults. The King addressed the children and told them to return home with their heads held high; no one in the kingdom could deny their worth, and anyone who did would answer to him. The nobles bowed their heads at those words.
The King turned to Cao, his little princess, and acknowledged her as a woman capable of taking care of herself and making her own decisions. The Queen spoke up and confessed that she had raised Cao to be the best in the kingdom; she hadn’t realized that she already was all along. The princess listened to her parents’ words and couldn’t help but shed a couple of tears of happiness.
Epilogue
The Legacy of Friendship
As time went on, Cao and Licapa became inseparable. Nothing could stand in the way of their friendship. Licapa became a skilled fisherman and was invited to the palace to oversee all matters related to the sea. As he grew into adulthood, Licapa began to dream of venturing beyond the sea to discover the homeland of Cao’s ancestor. Perhaps one day he will set out on that journey, but for now, the kingdom needs him.
For her part, Cao continued her studies and became a healer even more skilled than her mother. The princess succeeded her mother as high priestess of the moon goddess and her father on the throne. Cao became a ruler beloved by her people and led the kingdom into a new era of prosperity. Queen Cao carried her father’s scepter and the scepter she had recovered on the Sacred Mountain. She never forgot the lessons she learned on her adventure or the friends she made.
Zaña returned to the squirrels and told the younger ones the moral of the story: “True friendship is not measured by material wealth, but by love, loyalty, and mutual respect.” Zaña preserved the story of Cao and Licapa in the memory of her people. No matter how many years pass, even if the kingdom ceases to exist, the magical squirrel will never forget her friends.
THE END
