Trentren Vilu and Caicai Vilu - Mapuche

Deep, deep down in the earth slept a big, kind snake. He was a very long snake. His name was Trentren Vilu. Trentren Vilu loved the land. He loved the tall mountains and the green fields. He loved the people who lived on the land. But in the deep, blue water slept another big snake. His name was Caicai Vilu, and he was not always kind. This is the story of the snake of the land and the snake of the sea. This is the myth of Trentren Vilu and Caicai Vilu.

One day, Caicai Vilu woke up. He was a very grumpy sea snake. He wanted all the world for himself. With a big, loud ROAR, he splashed his giant tail. Splash, splash, splash. The blue water went up. The water went higher and higher, like a big tub filling up. It covered the green grass and the pretty flowers. The water crept close to the people's homes. Oh no. The people were scared. But Trentren Vilu was watching from inside the earth. He woke up from his long nap. He saw the rising water and knew he had to help. With his big, strong back, he pushed the earth up. Up, up, up went the land. The mountains grew taller and taller, reaching for the bright sun. The people could climb up high. They climbed to a safe, dry place.

The grumpy Caicai Vilu made the waves bigger and bigger. But kind Trentren Vilu made the mountains taller and taller. It was a big game of up and down. The water went up, and the land went up too. After a long, long time, Caicai Vilu got very tired. He was too tired to splash anymore. The water went down, down, down. It settled into new places. The world looked shiny and new. Where Trentren Vilu pushed the hardest, there were very tall mountains. And where the water rested, there were sparkly new lakes and lots of little islands. The people were safe. They had a beautiful new home. The story of the two snakes helps us remember that the kind earth is our friend and protector.