La Llorona - Latin American

Hello, little one. I am the river, and my waters have flowed for a very, very long time. I shimmer under the sun and whisper secrets to the moon. Long ago, I knew a kind mother named Maria who would bring her two happy children to play by my shores. They would laugh and splash, their voices like cheerful music. Maria loved her children more than all the stars in the sky. People now tell a story about her, a quiet, whispering story they call La Llorona.

One sunny afternoon, the children decided to play a game of hide-and-seek among the tall reeds that grow along my banks. 'Ready or not, here I come!' Maria called out with a smile. She looked behind the big, smooth rocks and under the shady willow trees, but she could not find them. The sun began to set, painting the sky in sleepy colors of orange and purple. As darkness fell, Maria’s happy calls turned into worried whispers, 'Where are you, my little ones? Please come back!' Her sad voice was carried by the wind, sounding like a long, soft cry.

Ever since that day, when the night is very quiet, some people say you can still hear a soft, sighing sound near the water. It’s the sound of Maria’s love, a whisper on the wind that reminds everyone to hold their families close. The story of La Llorona isn't meant to be scary; it's a lullaby of love that has inspired beautiful songs and paintings. It helps us remember to always stay near the people who love us, and it shows how a mother's love is strong enough to last forever, echoing like a gentle song across the water.