The Chocolate Maiden

Once long ago, gold and or jewels were not considered a currency but the more kindness and compassion you had, the richer you were. In this era of time and place there were only three tribes, and each had abundance love for each other, That, and of course water and food. If one tribe did not have enough, the other tribes would graciously give them what they needed. They all looked out for each other and that's what made life priceless. One dry season, both resources fell scarce, so all three tribes chiefs decided to send out their most trained foragers deep into the jungle. One of these skilled seekers was the princess of the Roja tribe. She was the most kindhearted princess you would ever meet.

She was also the most out-going and generous of all the royals in the three lands. The princess traveled with the other foragers for many days and nights until they came across an abundant plain of trees full of mangos, papayas and many other fresh produce. There were also streams full of fresh flowing water and fish. As the foragers did their duties, the princess went a little further into the fertile plains and came across hundreds of trees with aromatic large seeds. The princess saw these fruits and grabbed as many as she could carry within her bags. With lots of water and food they all headed back to their villages. Within a weeks time of traveling back home, the princess and the others were attacked by hungry jaguars. They all managed to trick the beasts but in the midst of losing the predators they got lost.

It would be another two weeks before they could get home. The princess wondered why they were attacked and noticed that her satchel bag was giving off a unique smell. Being that they were in the jungle and it was terribly hot, the group decided to make camp and call it a day, However, the princess wanted to make something from one of the seeds, and so she did. With other forged ingredients the maiden had made something uniquely sweet and delicious for her and the others to enjoy. However, as they ate the delicious treat, the foragers became obsessed with new recipe and wanted more. The princess refused and told them that they must conserve for the trip home. Once they arrived back to their own villages the princess gave each of the men an equal portion of the bean with the ingredients needed to make it themselves with their families.

When the maiden returned to her father there was a grand feast. The princess showed her people her discovery. Over time, the princess figured how to grow the beans. She also showed the other two tribes as well. This brought the attention of the two clan chiefs who wanted the maiden to marry their sons, but she could only choose one. Soon enough hard times came again, but it wasn't water or food, it was the fruit that the princess had shared with all the tribes.

Although the young maiden taught the people how to make the delicious food from this bean they forgot the most important thing, to share. She asked all the villages to portion it out evenly and take the time to plant the seeds. The princess traveled back to the fertile land that grew the aromatic fruits. This time she made sure there was more for everyone to share and grow. Little did the maiden know that within 3 fourth nights all of the tribes would devour the delicious bean. What made the maiden even more disgusted was that all of the people didn't bother taking the time to plant the seeds. Within the next moon rise the princess came up with her own troubles of engagement. The two princes wanted her hand but she had other important tasks to handle.

With her people as well as the princes peoples maiming each other over a fruit that could be planted and grown, there was no time to choose a husband, much less plan a marriage ceremony. She tried her best to help all her people and the royal families settle this dispute but none wanted to listen to her. With every passing sunset, the princess fled to the royal gardens to cry. From her tears she watered the same seeds that drove her people against each other. Every night from then on she wished she had never discovered the fruit. When the harvest month came, the fighting got so bad and eventually war came between the three tribes.

The princess decided enough was enough. As all three armies gathered, the maiden got between the chaotic battle grounds. The maiden was going to stop what she started even if it meant losing a limb or two, but little did the princess know that her sacrifice was going to take much more than just an arm or a leg. As the maiden tried to separate the three tribes and discuss peace, a spear hurled towards her and pierced the maidens heart. As she knelt down to the dirt, blood running down her chest, the clouds opened up and lightening thrashed the three army's. The gods were angered and with the princesses dying breath, she said, "spare them, take me. They have forgotten what it means to share. To love each other, to be grateful for what they have been given. Please do not punish my people. If anyone, it should be me." The gods above shined a bright light upon the princess, and from that light the deities turned her into the very fruit that she had shared among the tribes.

Everyone witnessed this transformation and wept for their beloved maiden. From then on, the tribes-people treated each other with compassion and respect. Things went back to the way they were before, but all remembered the princesses sacrifice. From her body a tree of the aromatic fruits grew.

They learned to grow the seeds and make other trees in the her name. She became, La doncella de chocolate and from her branches came an abundance of the food we all call chocolate.