
Click the pic for the original challenge. Written for Pirate’s Līgo Haībun Challenge.
~ Prompt “South America”
In the mountains of Peru, long ago, there was a young man named Pahuac, born with a simple gift. His heart spoke to him. From the time he was a little boy, he spoke many wonders, and in time, the people flocked to him, saying the words he spoke were so profound they must come from the gods.
The Inca were divided. Those steeped in the tradition of Manco Capac were angry. Pahuac’s words denied the sacred huacas. He said there was only one Huaca, and they believed he meant himself. Pahuac was brought before Túpac Yupanqui and thrown at his feet. “This man speaks for Inti,” the people cried. “He must be put to death.”
“Is this true you speak for our God?” Túpac asked.
“I speak only for my Huaca,” Pahuac answered.
Túpac charged the people. “Gather all the Inca together, every man, every woman, every child.” When all the Inca stood before him, every man, woman, and child, Túpac turned to Pahuac. “Speak now the words that will save your life. What words offer your Huaca for all the Inca people?”
Pahuac spoke only two words. “Munay ki.”
Túpac smiled and Pahuac’s life was spared.
mundo espera
palabras de corazón
yo te quiero
© 2013 Anne Schilde
world awaits
heart words
I love you
🙂
I wish I could write it in Quechua. 🙂
Translations of which…
Pahuac means flying.
Manco Capac was the first Inca.
Huacas are sacred places.
Inti is the Sun God.
Túpac Inca Yupanqui was the 10th Sapa Inca.
Munay ki means I love you, or be as you are.
That was brilliantly done! I love the use of Spanish haiku, very nice!
Thanks, Joe! Hard to pack a whole legend in 220 words or less. I hope it’s truly profound.
Fabulous!!!
Thanks! I actually got the idea from the title on the challenge itself… “words to bring the world together” before I realized the prompt was “South America.” 🙂
well done again. really like the imagination in this piece. and the use of haiku in Spanish was a great idea!
Thanks, kz! I was kind of tickled about an excuse to post a picture of Machu Picchu. 🙂
yes, and great photo too 🙂
bonita
¡Gracias!
Very good 🙂
¿Es auténtica, no? I love that in Quechua, “I love you” and “be as you are” have the same meaning! Munay ki! To be loved you must be yourself!
🙂 what a wonderful ambiguity that become clear, thank you
this was really good, Anne:) and a beautiful photo
Peru, like Lake Titicaca. 🙂 It’s pretty high on my list of places to go when I get rich some day.
Impressive piece of writing. Kudos. 🙂
Oh, thank you! Hardly as educational as yours have been! I do love the magic in that Quechua phrase.
well done!
Thank you, Jody!
one day i hope to speak/understand Spanish. 🙂
i also love how you incorporated the language…it made it more realistic.
It’s a beautiful language. If I spoke it fluently, I might have written the whole story in Spanish, and I would love to have written the haiku in Quechua!
i agree. the Spanish language is lovely to listen to. 🙂