Popocatépetl

I am a tall, tall mountain near a very big city. My head is always covered in a white blanket of snow, even when the sun is warm. Sometimes, I feel a deep rumble inside my tummy, and I let out a gentle sigh of smoke that drifts into the bright blue sky. Right next to me is another mountain, my quiet neighbor. She is beautiful and looks just like a lady who is fast asleep. People have called her that for a very long time. They call me the Smoking Mountain. That is what my name means. I am Popocatépetl.

I am very, very old. I was born around 730,000 years ago. Long after I was born, a wonderful group of people called the Aztecs lived in the valley below me in the 1300s. They told a special story about me and my neighbor, Iztaccíhuatl. They said that I was once a brave warrior and she was a beautiful princess. We were deeply in love. When she fell into a deep sleep, I was so sad that the gods decided to help us. They turned us both into mountains so we could stand side-by-side forever. Now, Iztaccíhuatl is the Sleeping Lady, and I am the Smoking Mountain who watches over her. When you see me rumble and puff smoke, it is just me, Popocatépetl, showing that I will always protect her.

Over the years, many people have come to visit me. In 1519, a brave Spanish explorer named Diego de Ordaz climbed all the way to my top. He wanted to collect the yellow sulfur from my crater. It was a very long and difficult journey. After that, I became very sleepy. For a long, long time in the 1900s, I was quiet and didn't make much noise at all. People thought my story was over. But then, on December 21st, 1994, I decided it was time to wake up. I let out a big puff of smoke and ash, like a giant yawn after a long nap. It surprised everyone and reminded them that the Smoking Mountain was still here.

Today, I am still a very active volcano. But you do not need to worry. Friendly scientists watch me all the time with special tools to make sure everyone in the city below is safe. They listen to my rumbles and watch my smoke. I am a symbol of nature's power and beauty for all the people of Mexico. I stand tall and proud, forever next to my princess. With every puff of smoke, I will always be here, watching over the land and telling my ancient story to the clouds and the sky.