Milagros and Concita

Once upon a time there lived a young woman, Milagros, and in her eighteenth year of life, she fell in love. This love, she knew, would cause her death, as well as that of her lover, but she could not forsake it.

She met her lover in the dead of night on the edge of the forest between their homes. And, every night, before catching sight of her lover, Milagros saw a horned animal within the forest. She named it Cierto Amor, for the love it represented between her and her lover.

One night, Milagros realized it must be difficult for her lover to find her way through the woods in the dark. So, while she waited, she began thinking of a plan to bring light to the jet sky.

The next morning, she made her way to the temple of Aphrodite, the one goddess Milagros believed would help her in her quest. She prayed to Aphrodite to come down and speak with her and, in a moment, was granted this prayer. Quickly, Milagros told Aphrodite of her lover and the dangers of the darkened woods. Aphrodite’s face brightened and she said she knew the solution, but that Milagros must come back that night before meeting her lover.

That day Milagros waited impatiently for the sun to fall into the sea before making her way once again to the temple of Aphrodite, running most all the way. Once there, she knelt and began to pray. Almost instantly, Aphrodite appeared, holding a lambskin bag, which she pressed into Milagros’ hand.

“Quickly,” Aphrodite said, “Quickly, spread these in the night sky, and your lover will find her way through the woods. But you must be quick, go now!” And, with those words, the goddess of love vanished.

“Thank you,” Milagros whispered; then she ran from the temple a ways before peering into the lambskin bag. Its contents made her eyes widen, for there sat hundreds of shining diamonds. Instantly, she knew why she must hurry. These precious stones must belong to Hades, and he would not have relinquished them willingly.

So, taking a handful of the jewels, Milagros threw them as high as she could. Transfixed, she watched them arrange themselves in the jet night, and she laughed aloud with joy. Then she recalled Aphrodite’s parting words and, taking handful after handful, threw all the stones into the sky.

She ran across the land until she reached the forest where her lover awaited her arrival. Her lover, Concita, stared at the sky, tears streaming down her face. Milagros ran to her quickly and held her tight.

“What is wrong, mi novia? What brings these tears out tonight?” And Concita turned to Milagros and smiled.

“The sky brings these tears to my eyes with its beauty. Thank you, Milagros, thank you, my lover.”