The Serpent of Rain
During the rainy season in Jiquilpan Michoacán, Mexico, agricultural farmers feared that the serpent of rain would wash away their crops. Year round, agricultural farmers would spend endless hours working on their lands, cultivating their produce to sustain their way of living. They planted avocados, tomatoes, corn, coffee, and nuts. However, often times their promising harvest was ruined by a powerful storm of rain. The serpent of rain was evil and brought very harsh rain that caused starvation around the communities. The Jiquilpan people depended on a bountiful harvest season to survive. The serpent did not disguise its self and made sure that the people of the town knew when it had arrived, it was said that you could see it coming in the mist of the morning sky. The serpent of rain caused panic to the villagers because it was a duplicitous and once it appeared the people knew there were going to be hard times ahead.
This serpent was like no other serpent; it only appeared during the months of June and July in Michoacán the most crucial months for the growing season. The cause of the snakes visit was unknown, many blamed each other for making the gods angry. The Jiquilpan people gathered to find a solution, they were desperate to preserve their crops. In the crowd a young voice called out, “ I know what will save us, I’ve seen our savior.” Everyone looked at the child, she caught the attention of everyone. She continued, “ The eagle has defeated the serpent of rain many times before, my grandmother taught me that instead of capturing this creature we must let it fly to protect us.” The people looked around at each other, their clothes were made of eagle feathers, their leader wore an eagle claw, in that moment they came to realize their mistake. It was since that day that the Jiquilpan people decided they would never hunt another eagle again, and legend has it that they had the most bountiful harvest season for many years. This is why we must live in harmony among all the creatures of the earth.
-Evelyn Lemus