Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo - Inca

Deep in the mountains, the world was quiet and new. But the people on Earth needed help to learn and grow, so the great sun god, Inti, sent his two children on a very special trip. This is the story of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, who journeyed from the sun to build a home. They came from the big, shiny Lake Titicaca. Their father, the sun, gave them a special golden staff that glowed like sunshine. He told them, “Walk far and wide. Where this staff sinks into the ground, you will build a great city.” Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo promised to find the perfect place and teach the people on Earth how to live happily together. They were ready for their amazing adventure.

So, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo began to walk. They walked up tall, pointy mountains and down into green, grassy valleys. Everywhere they went, they met people and saw fluffy llamas chewing on grass. At each place they stopped, Manco Cápac would take out the shiny golden staff. He would gently tap it on the ground. Tap. Tap. Tap. But the staff would not sink. The ground was too hard. So they kept walking, holding hands and looking for their special home. One day, they arrived in a beautiful, warm valley. The sun shone brightly. Manco Cápac placed the golden staff on the soft, brown earth. This time, it sank deep, deep into the ground all by itself. It disappeared. This was the sign. They had found their home.

Here in the beautiful valley, they started to build a wonderful city called Cusco. Manco Cápac gathered the men and showed them how to plant seeds to grow yummy food like corn and potatoes. He also taught them how to build strong houses from big stones. Mama Ocllo gathered the women and showed them how to spin soft wool from the llamas. She taught them to weave the wool into warm, colorful blankets to keep their families cozy. Everyone worked together, and soon the city was full of happy families. This story tells how the great Inca people began, with help from the children of the sun.