La Madremonte - Colombian

My name is Mateo. I live in a little house where the big green mountains touch the clouds. The forest is my favorite place to play. It is full of funny, chattering monkeys and bright blue butterflies. My abuela says the forest has a very old secret. She says the forest has a guardian who watches over every leaf and every tiny bug. This is the story of the guardian, La Madremonte. She watches over the whole forest home.

My abuela tells me the story. La Madremonte is the Mother of the Mountain. She is very tall, tall, tall. Her dress is made of soft green moss, and her long hair is a tangle of vines and pretty flowers. Her job is to protect the forest and all the animals. If someone is unkind to nature, like breaking a branch or scaring a little bird, she helps them learn. She does not hurt them. Instead, she sings a quiet, confusing song. The song makes the paths twist and turn, and the person gets a little bit lost. Soon, they learn to be gentle and quiet in her home, and the path becomes straight again.

After hearing the story, I know how to be a good friend to the forest. Now, when I play, I walk with soft, quiet feet. I listen to the birds sing their happy songs and I never pull leaves from the trees. The story of La Madremonte is a special tale that families in Colombia share. They tell it to their children to teach them to love and protect the Earth. It reminds us that nature is a wonderful home for everyone. Her story helps our imaginations grow big and strong, making us wonder about the magic in every rustling leaf.