First published 1965
A magic dog appears to help those in need. Twin heroes face impossible challenges from giants and monsters. A lazy village learns the cost of avoiding work when strange consequences follow. A star maiden descends from the heavens to meet a mortal man. These nineteen folktales spring from the indigenous cultures of South America, collected by Charles Finger during his extensive travels through the continent. Animals speak wisdom, witches cast spells, and ordinary children discover extraordinary courage. Each story carries the values that sustained these communities across generations. Hard work triumphs over laziness. Bravery defeats cruelty. Gentle hearts find beauty even in harsh circumstances. The tales explain why hummingbirds seek flowers and how mountains came to stand tall. They celebrate the bonds between family and community that make survival possible in an unpredictable world.
Genres: short-stories, adventure, fantasy, folklore
Vibes: emotional, lyrical, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, ordinary-people-extraordinary-courage
Setting: South America
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
Hardcover · Rourke Publishing (FL)