“Long ago, there was no water on the surface of the earth. The Barí people survived by drinking the crystal-clear, sweet liquid that flowed when cuts were made in the water vines. But with constant use, years later, the supply began to dwindle, and the women could no longer find anything to quench their families’ thirst.

In the community, there lived a wise old man who had learned to know every corner, animal, and plant of the forest. While exploring, he discovered a very particular, immense tree: when one placed an ear against its trunk, a gurgling sound could be heard, like water cascading down.

The entire community went to listen to that sound and to verify the truth of the elder’s observations.

Once convinced, they sent messengers to spread the news of the discovery and to gather the strongest warriors from all the communities.

For many moons, they worked together to fell that tree.

On the day its trunk split in two, water began to gush forth in torrents, flooding all the lowlands: first the basins of the seas were filled, and then the water began to flow, whispering and striking stones along the riverbeds.

From the fallen tree’s trunk, the first caiman was born, and every small piece of wood turned into a fish. Thus, the waters and the fish were established in this world, so that the Barí would never again suffer from hunger or thirst.”