In a land where the yellow jaguar lives and the sun rises behind green mountains, "the earth was filled with joy" when Balám, the boy of maize, was born. He climbed on top of a big, blue turtle, and along with an assortment of other animals, began the journey to the village. Excited to spread the word about the child's birth, the creatures worked together--each utilizing its special skills--in perfect harmony with Mother Earth. The turtle walked...

A traditional Mayan tale which reveals how the cuckoo lost her beautiful feathers.

After several unsuccessful attempts to create grateful creatures, the Mayan gods use sacred corn to fashion a people who will thank and praise their creators.

"Deep in the mountain forests of Guatemala, a community of indigenous Mayans-the "men of maize"-serves as stewards to sacred corn crops. When outsiders encroach on their territory and threaten to abuse the fertile land, they enter a bloody struggle to protect their way of life. This 75th anniversary edition of Nobel Prize Winner Miguel Ángel Asturias's epic tale of the collision of capitalist exploitation and indigenous wisdom features a new introduction...