Free Latin American Folktales by John Bierhorst Page B

seen, and in one of the bedrooms Antuco found a wardrobe fit for a lord. He shook a little bell and servants brought chocolate.
    Meanwhile the genie put the treasure chest in a closet next to the bedroom and sat down on top of it to keep it safe.
    Antuco, with his coaches and his horses, went out every day to take the air and began living the life of a prince. One day on the Alameda he passed his compadres. They too were dressed in style, and their baby was in the arms of a servant. Without making himself known, he followed them until they stopped and entered a fine house. That way he knew they’d received the bag of gold, and it made him glad.
    Not long after that, he decided to travel. He wanted to see England and Paris France. He took out the ball of yarn and ordered a ship furnished with all the luxuries, so he could sail to Europe. And the next thing he knew, word came from Valparaiso that the ship was ready. Antuco went on board with the genie and the treasure chest, and after a few days they docked at Paris. Antuco had already sent a telegram to the authorities, letting them know a Chilean prince was about to arrive. So the king had his ministers waiting at the harbor with a gilded carriage.
    When the ship dropped anchor, Antuco got off and started looking for a hotel. But the ministers said, “No, get in the carriage. If you don’t stay at the palace the king will be offended.” So Antuco had no choice but to say, “All right,” provided the genie could come too. The ministers said, “Fine.” But the genie said “No!” He would have to go on foot to carry the treasure. Everyone marveled at the way he handled the chest. Four men couldn’t have lifted it.
    That night at a banquet in his honor Antuco presented the queen with a crown of diamonds. He gave the king a sword all worked in gold, and the king’s daughter got a pearl necklace with a brooch to match. Ask yourself whether such gifts were appreciated!
    Now, the princess was engaged to the son of the king of England, but, to tell the truth, she didn’t care for him. And once she’d seen Antuco, who cut such a bold figure, she started liking the English prince even less. So she whispered to her mother, who whispered to the king, and all three decided this prince from Chile would make the better husband.
    When England heard about it, war was declared on France, and English ships set sail at once. Antuco was made admiral of the French fleet. With the genie at his side and the ball of yarn in his hand he gave the order for the red yarn to encircle the enemy. The genie drew the yarn tight, capturing the entire English navy. The prisoners were brought to Paris in chains, including the former fiancé of the princess, who had to pay a ransom before being allowed to return to England.
    So Antuco married the princess, and on the day of the wedding he poured chicha for the people of France and drank to their health. When it was his turn to sign the marriage contract, he picked up the pen and wrote his name: Antuco of Chile, Prince of the Hawthorn.
    The wind blows my tale out the door
And takes it to the farthest shore.
May it bring back a hundred more.
    Chile / Juana González

6. Don Dinero and Doña Fortuna
    Don Dinero and Doña Fortuna were having an argument. Don Dinero pressed his claim, “My money’s the answer. Without it there’s nothing.” Doña Fortuna shook her head. “Without good fortune your money brings nothing but trouble. It’s my luck that’s the answer. Watch, I’ll prove it.”
    Just then a poor man appeared and stood before Doña Fortuna. She asked him, “And how is your life?” He said, “Life? What life? I’m tired of working, and all they give me is four reales.”
    She filled his knapsack with money and said, “Now, see if this helps. Come back in a while and tell me how things are going.”
    The man threw the knapsack on his back and went off. On the way home he passed through a forest. He started to have thoughts, “Who