This tale was told to me by a beautiful woman who lived far across
Now she has left us to continue relating her beautiful stories to the angels.
Many, many years ago, in the land of the Mayas, lived a wise king and his kind and beautiful wife.
The king governed surrounded by philosophers, writers, poets,musicians, astrologists, and magicians.
The queens life overflowed with affection and happiness.
One dawn, the lovely queen had a dream.
She dreamed a moonbeam illuminated her feet, her entrails, her heart and her head. She felt within herself, a new love, simple and inexpressible.
She told her husband of her dream. He rejoiced for he predicted this to be a good omen. Taking her hand, he gently kissed her forehead.
Months went by. Happiness reigned in the palace.
A baby girl was born to the queen. She was named Itzel.
She grew beside her mother. From her, she learned to value each human being as an individual.
She studied astrology and immersed herself in the wisdom of the sages. She sang with the poets, wrote what her eyes saw and her heart felt and she loved God.
From her father she obtained keen judgment, strength and a love of learning.
Itzel was sweet and loving. She treated even the most humble of the palace servants with great respect. She was benevolent, kind and tender -hearted.
The years passed. Itzel was fifteen. A lovely young woman.
King: My queen, said the king, the time has come to think of matrimony for our daughter. I know of an intelligent, ambitious prince, the only son of a good friend who lives in the Palace of
The day arrived when Princess Itzel would meet Prince Mishe. Itzel was dressed by her mother in a gown of unadorned lilac silk. Her head was crowned with flowers.
The prince arrived with his parents. Tall, dark and slender, he radiated intelligence, pride and courage.
When they met, the prince sought her eyes; Itzel felt a sweet, internal shiver. Itzel and Mishe strolled in the garden. The palace servants, the flowers, the very wind ceased all movement to listen...perhaps to participate.
Prince: Itzel, will you be pleased to have me as your companion?
Princess: Very pleased, my prince, above all if I can bring you happiness.
The contented parents set the marriage date for early spring.
Itzel was prepared with great care. She was taught to love and respect God, her own self, her husband and her children. She was taught to speak thoughtfully, respect others, to work beside her husband, to dream his dreams and share his ambitions.
The day of the wedding arrived.
Everything was white and gold. The entire kingdom was invited to share fountains of honey cakes, bountiful fruits and roasted faisans and deer.
Five years passed.
A strange thing was taking place. The princess was no longer happy. She meditated for long hours on end. Her face grew more pallid each passing day. Her jet -black eyes held a secret. A bitter secret.
The prince brought gifts, many gifts. He sent for rare birds, flowers, golden fish, from all over
One afternoon, in the garden, tears escaped from the eyes of the princess.
Prince Mishe ran to her side.
Prince: What is wrong, my dear princess? I have tried to make you the most joyous of women. I have constructed a grand palace for you. I have dressed you in jewels, hundreds of slaves attend your slightest desire...do I not make you happy, my love?
Itzel lifted her tear -stained face and looked at her husband with great tenderness.
Princess: Mishe, my beloved one. I need not gold, nor slaves, not material? Goods to make me happy.
Prince: Then what is it you wish, my little one?
Princess: I wish you were more spiritual.
Prince: I am not spiritual, my dear. I am a man!
Itzel lovingly held his hand.
Princess: You are only concerned with your possessions, your conquests and those things you can purchase with gold.
Your culture is vast and you own valuable documents and rare manuscripts. I am certain you love me deeply but you have neglected your spirit.
Prince: Princess, I have never seen my spirit.
Princess: You cannot see it, Mishe.
Prince: Then how can I believe it exists?
Princess: Because I feel it move and act in me.
Prince: I cannot understand. Explain how something you cannot see can move.
Princess: Can you see the love I feel for you? Yet I know it vibrates in you whenever I am near. Is that not so?
Prince: Yes, my princess. It is true.
Mishe was pensative. Then as if that sole phrase had placed him in a circle of ligth, he asked:
Prince: What must I do?
Princess: I know not. If I did, I would be your guide. You must follow the dictates of your Internal Master. Only he is sure of the path you must follow. I shall wait. I shall wait all the time that is necessary.
Prince: Are you asking me to abandon you?
Princess: I am begging you to find yourself. Only then can our love be eternal.
Prince: Let it be. I love you so much, my Itzel. I shall do what you ask. When Iam worthy of you, I shall return.
Before sunrise the prince left the castle and his loved one. He mounted his best steed and carried food and gold in abundance.
The seasons changed many times and Mishe continued seeking. He was no longer rich. Barefoot, he roamed hamlets, mountains and valleys. He performed humble tasks for a bowl of soup or some seeds.
He had changed. He was thin. He bathed in streams and ate wild herbs and roots. He suffered greatly. He cried alone.
One day, completly fatigued, he spied the footsteps of a hoofed animal. Thinking it to be a deer, he followed it to a cave.
It was dark and humid. He entered. Firewood burned on the floor.
Next to the fire a strange creature slept.
Half his body resembled a goat but from the waist up he had the form of a man. His ears were pointed, his eyes huge and his hair stood on end. A faun.
The creature opened his eyes and with a gesture invited the prince to sit down.
Faun: Why do you keep wandering?
Prince: I am not wandering. I am searching!
Faun: Was it not your wife who sent you into exile?
You should not allow yourself to be ruled by a woman. Every inch a prince...yet you appear before me as a beggar. Be not a fool! What is important is your power and the wisdom to app it, your possessions,
your slaves, your riches! Return to your kingdom! You are powerful.
I know you are!
Sleepless, the prince felt that the meadows, the wind, fire and water slipped in and out of his heart and his mind, all night long.
At dawn, Mishe had resolved to continue his search.
Extending his hand, he looked straight into the eyes of the faun.
Prince: Thank you my friend. You have helped me a great deal.
I know now that everything material is wonderful to have after I have conquered the spiritual!
The prince continued his journey. He came to a river bank. Drinking the crystal water from his cupped palms, he saw an emerald mountain in the distance. It was so high; a crown of clouds encircled its peak.
He hesitated. What was the use of climbing?
An image of Itzel, radiating faith and joy, appeared before his eyes.
Go on, my love! I am still waiting!
The prince started uphill. Several times he almost fell. Fatigue was gaining hold, only his love sustained him.
The sun was fading when he finally percieved the flame of a pure and perfect love from the most pure and perfect of beings.
Prince: Oh, dear God, is this you?
He felt small and at the same time huge as he drew closer to God.
Night fell. He had conquered himself at last.
Early the next morning he descended with the rising sun. He wanted to be home. He walked and walked. Passing through a coconut grove he admired the tempting fruit. He longed for the cool coconut water but
refused to stop, even for a moment. He was anxious to return to the castle.
Itzel sent out a reception committee. She recieved him with great love. She had a hot bath prepared and clothes and jewels worthy of her prince. A delicious banquet awaited him.
Surprised, Mishe noted that a pitcher of coconut water was placed on a special table decorated with a beautiful embroided cloth.
Prince: Tell me, my princess, why is this coconut water so placed?
Princess: Because you desired it. Drink now, my prince. When two souls truly love each other, the desires of one are the desires of the other.
It is said that this legend lies written within the palace walls at
