Audiolibro "Leyendas de mi tierra" "La muchacha que no conocía el sabor de la sal" de Antonio Diaz V

The Struggle for Freedom and the Quest for Salt

The Beginning of the Fight for Independence

• The fight for freedom was initiated by ancestors with nothing but patriotic fervor, leading to the disbandment of regular armies after initial battles.

• Patriots dispersed into mountains and valleys, determined to continue defending their cause in smaller groups. This gave rise to guerrilla warfare in various regions.

The Republic of Larecaja

• One notable guerrilla group was based in Larecaja, a region in northern La Paz, where they had moments of glory under a priestly leader. However, after his death, many indigenous survivors faced persecution from royalists.

• Agustín Gamarra, a Peruvian chief serving the Spanish forces, led brutal extermination efforts against these ex-guerrillas.

José Pacha's Leadership

• In dire circumstances, an ex-guerrilla named José Pacha gathered around 30 families and sought refuge deep within the jungle to escape persecution. They found a hidden valley ideal for safety.

• Pacha became the supreme leader of this new settlement and enforced strict laws to maintain isolation from outside influences while ensuring community security through vigilant watchmen.

Life in Isolation

• The inhabitants thrived away from external conflicts; Pacha cultivated essential crops like cotton and maize to provide comfort and sustenance for his people. They lived happily despite ongoing wars elsewhere in Bolivia.

• As families grew within this secluded community, Pacha emphasized maintaining no contact with the outside world as crucial for their happiness and stability.

Curiosity Leads to Adventure

A Dreamer Among Them

• Among the happy families was Manuel Cito’s family which included his curious daughter Ty Luca who often eavesdropped on adult conversations instead of playing with other children. Her curiosity about the world beyond their valley grew significantly over time.

The Desire for Salt

• Ty Luca learned about salt's flavor-enhancing properties during one such eavesdropping session; having never tasted it before sparked an intense desire within her to experience it firsthand. She devised a secret plan to escape her isolated life in search of salt.

Planning Her Escape

• Disguising herself with branches to blend into her surroundings, she waited until nightfall before attempting her escape towards freedom while evading guards stationed at their village entrance. Despite initial setbacks due to guard vigilance, she remained determined throughout her endeavor.

Seizing Opportunity

• When guards were distracted by tracking a wild boar nearby, Ty Luca took advantage of this momentary lapse in attention and slipped away unnoticed toward unknown lands filled with potential adventures ahead as she ran through unfamiliar territories seeking out new experiences beyond her sheltered existence.

The Tale of Luka and the Quest for Salt

Luka's Journey to the Village

• Luka arrives at a village, recalling her past with fellow villagers. She inquires about salt from locals.

• A woman running a small provisions store confirms she has salt but expresses her inability to give it away due to her own poverty.

• Remembering a gold nugget given by her father, Luka offers it in exchange for salt, which the shopkeeper accepts.

The Secret Acquisition of Salt

• After obtaining the salt, Luka hides it under her dress and returns home before nightfall.

• She successfully sneaks back into her house unnoticed and begins secretly using the salt to enhance her meals.

• Her parents notice an unusual appetite in Luka as she enjoys food more than ever before, raising their suspicions.

The Consequences of Deception

• Despite contemplating revealing her secret about the salt, fear of punishment prevents Luka from confessing to her parents.

• As months pass, she runs out of salt and struggles to adjust back to bland food, leading to physical decline.

Desperation and Illness

• Luka becomes ill due to lack of proper nutrition; during delirium, she desperately cries out for salt.

• Her condition draws attention from local authorities; they inform Pacha (the governor), who suspects foul play on Luka's part.

The Tragic Fate of Luka

• In a desperate attempt to find more salt during the night while still sick, she is caught by guards after making a noise.

• Pacha condemns Luka without hesitation; she is buried alive as punishment for breaking laws regarding food acquisition.

The Grief of Her Parents

• Following her disappearance, Luka’s parents search frantically but find no trace of their daughter.

• Overwhelmed with grief, they sit by the tree where she hid the salt until one day something miraculous occurs.

The Miracle at the Tree

• Days later, strange occurrences begin at the base of the tree where they mourn; liquid starts seeping from the ground.

The Miraculous Source of Salt

The Origin of the Salt Spring

• The sun's heat left a crystallized white layer on the surface, raising questions about whether the bones of a deceased girl transformed due to death or if her parents' tears contributed to this phenomenon.

• It is suggested that both factors may have played a role in creating a miraculous source of salt for the villagers, which became essential for their food seasoning.

The Disappearance of the Salt Source

• One day, the precious salt spring mysteriously vanished, leaving villagers who had grown accustomed to its flavor desperate and unable to cope without it.

• In response to their need for salt, villagers requested permission from their chief to leave the village in search of this vital substance.