When the Tunkuluchú sings (english version)

a translation made by me1

literature for children (SEP)2

a translation made by me3

When the Tunkuluchú sings4

In the Mayab lives a mysterious bird , that always was alone and lived in the ruins, the howl or Tunkuluchú, witch makes the Maya tremble with his sing, every knows that he announces death. Some say that he does it in mischief, others because he likes to wonder at night while is dark in the cemetery, from there his pleasure on death, some people thing that many years ago, a Mayan witch, when she died converted in to a howl.5

There is a legend, that in far away time, when the tunkuluchu was considered the wiser in the kingdom of the birds. That is shy, the birds when to find them when the needed advice and the all admire his conduct wise and serious.6

One day the tunkuluchú got a letter, where he was invited to a party were took place in the palace the kingdom of the birds.  Even he not like parties, in this occasion decided to not assist, because He could not reject a royal invitation, that way, he went with his vest best dress; the invited were amazed to see him, because it was the first time that  the tunkuluchú assisted to a reunion like that.7

Immediately, he got the best table and offer him some f the most delicious dishes, 8

accompanied with balche, the liquor Maya. But the tunkuluchú was not use to it he started to drink some cups, and got very drunk. The same happened with all the guest, that turn the party filled with whistles and scandalous laughs.9

Between the most funny was the Chom, witch adorn his bold head with flowers and laugh every time he bumped on some one. Between the most funny was the Chom, witch adorn his bold head with flowers and laugh every time he bumped on some one. On the change, the chachalaca, was very noisy, stayed very quiet. Each bird wanted to be the one with bigger grace, and not wanting it, the tunkuluchú won. He was so drunk, that he tell jokes while he was dancing and spin with one leg, he did not care that he fell at every time. 10

There were in the party, when a familiar Maya that was a pain in the head was passing by. To hear the noise the birds, he crashed the party whiling to bother all the guest. And of course he had the opportunity to do it, because he was drunk also with blanche.11

The Maya started to laugh at each bird, but soon the tunkuluchu attracted his attention. Without think a lot, ran after him  to pull his feathers, while the dizzy bird ran and slip at each time, Then, the man torn up a spine from a branch and seek for him, when he found him, poke his feet, even if the bird lift his feet one and the other ones and again. The only thing he could achieve that the others believe that he was dancing and laugh at him very hard.12

Was until the Maya sleep out of the drunkenness that he stop bothering him, the party was ending and the birds returned to their nest all dizzy, some were mocking to remember the ridicule the tunkuluchu have made, The poor bird was ashamed and very mad at the same time, because after that no one would respect him.13

Then, he went every night to the cemetery, until he began to know the smell of death; that was he need it for his revenge. Then, he decided to take revenge of the cruelty of the Maya, he was entire days thinking of the worst punishment; he was so mad, that he thought that all man most pay of the offence he had suffer that way, he search of some quality that will permit him to avenge and he opted of his nose.14

Since that time, the tunkuluchú was determined to announce the Maya his last hour, That way, he could be at the place were he smells death knowing some one will die soon and sings a lot of times.15

That is why when you her the tunkuluchú, the men dies, and he could not have chosen a better revenge, therefore when people hear the tunkuluchu sing they tremble in fear.16