The Legend of Chasca

  

   There is an ancient Incan legend
    Some contend it must be true;
    I will try to tell the story
    And leave opinion up to you.

Across the ocean, the deep wide ocean,
On the nose of the big black dog,
Gentle mother and bravehearted father
Had slipped into the fog...

And left him alone, their only child,
Huallpa, Sun of Joy,
Alone on the banks of an ancient creek
Save just one companion to care for the lonely boy.

Chasca, the patient llama,
He'd known her all his days,
And so they wondered on together
On smooth and rocky ways.

By day they searched for berries,
And long green grasses sweet.
They found a drink in divers pools
Once they had their fill to eat.

At night they'd curl together
Beneath the starry sky,
And Huallpa would sometimes bury his face
And silently, silently, cry.

For he was very young, you see,
And missed his parents so,
And Chasca would turn and nuzzle him
With a hum so soft and low.

And then, alas! One morning he woke
And found to his dismay,
That Chasca had entered the black dog's ear
And quietly slipped away.

For three whole days Huallpa sat
Beside the valley stream,
Too sad to even search for food,
Too sad to hope or dream.

And so at last the third night came,
The stars were twinkling clear,
Huallpa spread his arms and cried
His grief for all to hear:

"My mother, my father, my llama friend!
Have you left me here to die?
Surely all is lost and gone,
For a miserable one as I!

Shall I perish slowly
Without one friend to aid?
Is there no love in this cold world
Though to the gods I've prayed?"

And then! A miracle!
The first star of the evening dim
Came closer, closer still
Until it settled quietly, just hov'ring over him.

And then he saw with wonder
No longer a star there!
Instead t'was Chasca smiling,
Watching o'er him from the air.

"Chasca!" he cried; she answered not,
But shook her coat instead,
And suddenly it cascaded down
On Huallpa's unsuspecting head.

"Chasca!" he cried again,
But she was already gone,
Leaving him what gift she could
And hope he could go on.

And so he gathered up the mass,
And selling it for a price,
Was able to provide a hut
And buy a bit of rice.

Many since have pondered
Is this story told aright?
Take heed, for Chasca's name 
Means "Goddess of dawn and night."
    
    There is an ancient Incan legend,
    Some contend it to be true;
    I have tried to tell the story.
    Now opinion's up to you.

P.S. The Incan people believed strongly in a heaven and hell. They thought people entered the afterlife by riding on the nose or in the ear of a black dog.