Federico Stories

Long ago, one of the most powerful Arbolarios (a genie from the storms) stole a lagoon from the north of Central America. No one was sure from where, how, and when he had stolen it. The locals merely noted an odd being flying with an eggshell over them. Several minutes passed, and when the Arbolario was flying around the Tecapa Volcano, he lost his balance, and the eggshell fell down aside. Hence the lagoon that was born nearby is tilted as the Alegria Lagoon. Many years later, the same Arbolario tried to steal Lake Güija. But this time, it was impossible because he was not strong enough and wholly gave up. Nowadays, everyone assures you; that you can only see the Arbolarios when the storms roar and emit sparks. At that moment, you will perceive a pair of baroque eyes. These eyes are from evil genies (figure 1) best known as the Arbolarios. Most probably, they are planning their next big crime. Only one thing is certain; they're going to destroy something in their way. Furthe...

Lake Ilopango (Xilopango) like many other sources of its kind, it’s surrounded by incredible nature and not so far volcanoes like the Chinchontepec. Without a doubt, for these reasons and many more, it was primitively consecrated to the genies of the waters. The ancient Toltec Empire, whose remains are dispersed all across the Americas and the world, in the twelfth century, brought here their civilization. Mainly, their numerous deities to whom it rendered a superstitious cult. Everyone in Ilopango worshiped Tlaloc, he represented the God of Lightning and Tempest and preceded the fertilizing rain. His wife Xochiquetzal was called in Tlaxcala, the Lady of the Blue Dress, and participated in all honors related to her husband. She was extremely beautiful and benevolent and was considered the patroness of waters, pregnancy, and childbirth. Hence in multiple Central American regions, she was particularly venerated and admired. Each year at the time when the cornfields were ready f...

Many years ago, the owner of a magnificent mansion went for a sail on a crafted raft near Teopan Island in Coatepeque Lake. Unfortunately, he was dragged by an underground current to the domains of the Goddess Itzqueyé of the Freshwaters. On this day, his life changed forever, and no one saw him alive again. A few months later, he reappeared to the people who took care of his property and inherited it. They were perplexed by what they saw, his legs had lengthened, and his lips had widened, transforming him completely. He only smiled, thanked them for all that they did, said goodbye, and vanished in front of their eyes. They never saw him again. Nowadays, many people agree, that his spirit enchants Coatepeque Lake, and they call it: “The Tabudo.” They describe him as a good spirit who presents himself as a small being to all fishermen, but little by little, it becomes bigger and bigger. Later, he sits in the front of their rafts when they notice something uncommon his legs surpass h...

In the Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador live a magical snake (figure 1), so massive, and so powerful that all people are scared of it. Some Salvadorans said it looked like a basilisk because it has horns but is partially blind because the Spaniards cut one of its eyes during a war. Figure 1. The snake. ¹ Nowadays, it hibernates in the lake abysses waiting for its return to the surface to continue petrifying more people with its powers. One day the inhabitants said from the year 1700 and beyond the snake started to snort yearly, when this happens, the waters trembled and shook, and everyone can hear the rumblings. Many Santanecos think this is the reason for the powerful quakes that shake Central America. After the snort stops, they assure they cannot stand the sulfur smell that they perceive in the place for three days, a smell the inhabitants associate with hell. They consider the snake came from there. Plus, snort causes the inhabitants to be baffled for many days. ...