The American Dream II

Heraclio grew up as a member of the Atacameno Tribe in the village of Chacabuco, an abandoned and poverty-stricken area of the Atacama Desert, in northern Chile, South America. He remembers listening to the elders speaking about their legends and how they continually emphasized he memorize every word. They spoke of myths such as “The great land to the north, with vast amounts of water and the vegetation grew everywhere”. To fully understand the elders, they held up a piece of green fabric for Heraclio’s vision, still he could not picture this in his mind.

To Heraclio’s amazement, some thirteen years later, he witnessed something in the sky. With a closer look, he could not believe his eyes, for there above his head was The Alicanto. He remembered what the elders had told him. “The Alicanto is a bird of the desert. The legend says that the alicanto's wings glow during the night with beautiful colors, and their eyes send away strange lights, making a brilliant flight and some do not cast a shadow on the ground. This bird brings fortune to any person who sees it and the Alicanto live in a small cavern between the hills filled with our rich mineral, you see they feed on gold and silver. If the lucky person follows an alicanto without detection to their nest, they can find silver or gold. But, if the alicanto discovers them, the bird will guide the greedy person over a cliff, causing them to fall to their death”. Heraclio was more than happy he knew every word.

The following day Heraclio decided it was time for his fortune and off to the hills he trekked. At the beginning of his journey he met only one other person, an older man named John. John was a surveyor and knew many things of the world. With this in mind, Heraclio asked many questions and began to wonder if his treasure was this chance meeting. When asked of The Great Land to the North, John simply replied, “Oh, America’s Dream”. Curious, Heraclio learned of an adventurer named America, and how he followed a dream. Heraclio commented, “Much like me”. John never realized the difference in translation and the boy continued his quest into the hills. One hill lead to another, then another behind the second and Heraclio found himself on the way to North America.

Always asking questions of those he met, Heraclio always heard the same reply, “Oh, the dream of America”. Then it finally happened as Heraclio found himself on that northern border. All he need do is to swim and The Alicanto will be waiting. For a young man growing up in the desert, this was no easy task.

One day Heraclio finally understood and realized his quest, The American Dream.

Be Safe,

Reach