The Possum and the Jaguar.

The mother possum advised her young son, “It’s time for you to find someone to be your godfather.” With that, the little possum set out to find a godfather. His first stop was the jaguar’s den. Upon seeing the possum, the jaguar thought he was about to have an easy meal. However, the possum quickly explained his purpose. “Señor Jaguar, I apologize for disturbing you, but I would like to ask if you would be my godfather.” The jaguar, intrigued, replied, “Ah, you want me to be your godfather?” “Yes,” the possum confirmed. “Very well, if that’s what you wish, then it shall be,” said the jaguar. “Tomorrow, I’ll come for you so we can go out and eat.” “Very good, Godfather. I’ll be ready and waiting in the morning,” the possum responded.

The next day, the jaguar arrived at the possum’s home, announcing, “I’ve come to see my godson.” “Of course,” the mother possum said. “Come in, he’s waiting for you.” The possum then accompanied his godfather to a plain with a small fountain, a gathering spot for animals seeking water. The jaguar instructed, “Climb up into this tree, and when I shout ‘now there’s meat,’ come quickly to find me.” “Very good, I’ll do it, Godfather,” replied the possum, hiding among the tree’s branches. At noon, thirsty cattle began arriving at the spring, with a black bull being the last to arrive. “Now I’ll procure some food for my godson,” the jaguar declared. As the bull drank, the jaguar sprang from his hiding place, bringing the bull down in the mud. When the meal was ready, the jaguar called out, “Godson, come quickly. Eat all that you want, dear godson. There is plenty of meat.” The possum began to eat but could barely finish a mouthful. “Eat, eat, my godson. Don’t waste the food we now have so abundantly,” urged the jaguar. “Thank you, godfather, but my stomach is very small, and I cannot eat much,” the possum explained. The jaguar ate all he could and left the rest for other animals. As they left, the possum said, “Many thanks, godfather. Now it’s my turn to invite you to a banquet, as you’ve invited me.”

On the day of the invitation, the jaguar arrived at the possum’s home, and they set out in search of food for the feast. The possum led the way to a village where laborers kept chickens and turkeys. They waited at the village’s edge until everyone was asleep. At midnight, the possum entered a pen and began carrying off chickens and turkeys for his godfather. The jaguar, still hungry, prompted the possum to return for more hens. This time, the hens made a commotion, waking their owners, who emerged with dogs, sticks, and machetes ready to chase the intruders. They searched the area with flaming pine torches but found nothing.

A few days later, the young possum invited his mother, “Come with me to eat, Mama. I know how my godfather got very good meat, and I will do the same.” His mother accompanied him to the hunting spot. “Climb up that tree while I hide in the bushes by the spring. When I shout, ‘Now there’s meat,’ come quickly,” he instructed. The possum hid in the same place from which his godfather had ambushed his prey. At noon, the cattle descended from the hill to drink before resting, and a solitary bull soon followed. As the bull drank, the possum leaped upon him just as his godfather had. However, the bull was unperturbed and merely shook himself, sending the possum flying into the air. The possum landed in the mud, unable to escape, and called out to his mother for help. “Come here, Mama. Now there’s meat,” he shouted. His mother rushed to the ground, expecting the feast to be ready, but found her son nearly lifeless. She leapt to his aid, but both became trapped in the mire, where it is said they met their sad end.

This is a retelling of a cultural tradition belonging to its people.

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