"Popo and Ixta"
(As told by Dylann and "translated" by Me)
Popo and Ixta have recently taken up residence in our kitchen. Given my history of naming ....anything and everything, Dylann suggested they be named after two volcanoes in Central Mexico.
The legend of the the two volcanoes state that Ixtaccihuatl [eek-stack-SEE-you-waddle] (aka- Ixta), the daughter of an Aztec emperor fell in love with a young warrior named Popocatépetl, [popo-ca-TEH-petal] (aka - Popo). Popo, whose sentiments matched those of Ixta, made repeated requests for Ixta's hand in marriage but was rejected each time as the Emporer forbade Ixta from marrying anyone.
The aging Emperor was growing weak and when the surrounding villages saw this they decided to take advantage of the situation and attack the city. The Emperor declared that whoever was brave enough to lead his army into war successfully defeat the enemy would be granted permission to marry his daughter.
Popo jumped at the chance and did just as the Emperor had asked. As the victorious army returned from battle, some warriors, jealous of Popo's newly glorified status, took a different route. Arriving before the rest of the army, the warriors developed a lie in which they told the Emperor that Popo had died in the war. Upon hearing the news, a devastated Ixta died of a broken heart.
When Popo returned, eager to reunite with his true love, he learned of her death. He lovingly carried her body to a valley where he told the warriors to build a stone pyramid that would serve as Ixta's grave. When Ixta's final resting place was complete, the warriors were ordered to build another pyramid. Popo then spent the rest of his life perched atop his pyramid while keeping watch over his love.
Legend also states that when Popo (the volcano) finally erupts, Ixta will awake and, at long last, the two loves will be reunited.
