Genre 2 Traditional Tales: The Two Mountains

1. Bibliography
Kimmel, Eric A. 2000. The two mountains: an Aztec legend. Ill. by Leonard Everett Fisher. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 9780823415045

2. Plot Summary
In this pourquoi tale, Kimmel retells an Aztec legend that explains the formation of the two mountains, Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, located in the Valley of Mexico. The sun god, Tonatiuh, has forbidden his son, Ixcocauqui, from leaving their jade palace in the heavens. Ixococauqui defies his father one day and comes upon Coyolxauhqui, the daughter of the moon god. They fall in love and marry, but are forbidden to ever to leave the heavens and walk upon the earth by Tonatiuh, since he is still furious Ixococauqui had broken his first rule. If they break the second rule, they will not be gods anymore. The temptation is too great, and one day they descend to the earth. As warned, they are both turned into humans and are no longer immortal gods. Coyolxauhqui becomes very ill and dies, so the gods transform the two lovers into the two mountains so that they will always be together.
A pronunciation guide of the Nahuatl names is included at the end of the book.

3. Analysis
The bold, vibrant colors in Fisher's acrylic two page illustrations of Aztec people, gods, and lush scenery create an ideal backdrop for Kimmel's simple text. The vivid greens, blues, reds, and yellows enhance the retelling of this traditional tale. Readers will enjoy the "forbidden fruit" theme as, predictably, the characters break the rules and are punished; a familiar theme to children. Although the passing of Coyolxauhqui may seem a bit sad, the reader is reassured that the two protagonists found immortality again in becoming the two mountains. I was actually surprised when reading this story because I had read an alternate pourquoi tale about the two mountains that mirrors Snow White. Although I was taken aback at first that the story was different than the one I was familiar with, this tale was satisfying nonetheless.

4. Review Excerpts
Publishers Weekly - "The team...offers a competent reworking of this tale explaining the formation of two mountains overlooking the Valley of Mexico."
School Library Journal - "This beautifully illustrated story will be enjoyed by folklore readers and enhance studies of Aztec culture."

5. Connections
* Compare and contrast this tale of the two mountains with the Aztec Snow White tale at this link http://home.freeuk.com/elloughton13/snow1.htm
* Include this book along with other Aztec legends during a study of the Aztec culture and its demise.
*Children can write their own pourquoi tale of the Franklin Mountains or of Mount Cristo Rey in El Paso.