Sam the Sea Captain is off to see the world and has heard about the legend surrounding Mexico City’s volcanoes.  There are many stories about the famous volcanoes called Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl.  There is a reason why here in Mexico we call the second one The Sleeping Woman.  If we look at it closely we can see the shape of a woman lying as if she were asleep.  The legend I’m about to tell you is the one I was told ever since I was a little girl.

Sam está recorriendo el mundo y acaba de escuchar la historia acerca de los volcanes de la ciudad de México.  Existen muchas versiones de la leyenda de los volcanes Popocatépetl e Iztaccíhuatl.  Hay una razón por la que llamamos a este segundo volcán La Mujer Dormida.  Si la observamos detenidamente podemos ver la forma de una mujer acostada.  Esta es la leyenda  que a mi me contaban desde que era muy chica.

Legend says that princess Iztaccíhuatl would be sacrificed to the gods for being the most beautiful girl of her village. However, the great warrior Popocátepetl loved her very much and could never allow this to happen. They decided to run away one night, but the guards discovered them and an arrow went through the princess’ heart. The warrior took her in his arms and laid her on the field. He kneeled in front of her and sworn to protect her forever. As time went by the snow covered their bodies and they became two magnificent volcanoes that would remain there forever.

La leyenda cuenta que la princesa Iztaccíhuatl, por ser la más hermosa, sería sacrificada a los dioses. Sin embargo, el guerrero Popocatépetl la amaba y no podía permitir que esto sucediera. Para evitarlo decidieron huir por la noche, pero al escapar los guardias los descubrieron y una flecha hirió a la princesa en el corazón. El guerrero la tomó en sus brazos y la recostó sobre el campo. Se arrodilló frente a ella y juro que la cuidaría por siempre. Con el tiempo la nieve los cubrió, convirtiéndolos en dos enormes volcanes que seguirían ahí hasta el fin del mundo.