Long ago, when the jungle had no paths and the rivers still spoke with human voices, the Jaguar ruled the land and the Anaconda reigned over the waters. They respected each other, yet they had never met face to face.
One afternoon, after a great storm, the river overflowed and flooded the Jaguar’s territory. Furious to see his forest drowned, the Jaguar roared so loudly that the trees trembled. His roar echoed deep into the river, where the mighty
Annoyed by the noise, the great serpent rose from the roots of the ceiba trees and spoke:
—“King of the land, your roars disturb the peace of the river. Why do you challenge the waters?”
The Jaguar growled proudly:
—“Your river has invaded my jungle. The earth belongs to me, and you have covered it with your tears.”
The Anaconda smiled calmly and replied:
—“The water gives life to your jungle. Without it, there would be no prey to hunt, no leaves to shade you. I do not steal your land — I nourish it.”
The Jaguar stepped closer to the edge of the water, but the mud made him slip. The Anaconda slowly coiled around him, not to crush him, but to show her strength.
—“We are not enemies, Jaguar,” she whispered. “We are part of the same spirit of the forest. You rule what is seen; I rule what is hidden.”
The Jaguar understood. He roared once more — not in anger, but as a greeting.
Since that day, the elders of the Amazon say, when the jaguar drinks from the river and the anaconda swims nearby without attacking, the jungle breathes in harmony.
