The Weeping Woman
This is a story that grandparents have been passing on to their grandchildren for hundreds of years. So, this sad and truthful tale begins in a small town near Chapala, Mexico.
Esta es una historia que los abuelos se han de pasar a sus nietos durante cientos de años. Por lo tanto, este cuento triste y veraz comienza en una pequeña ciudad cerca de Chapala, México.
Many years ago there was a small and humble village where a beautiful girl named Adonia lived. Even her name meant “a beautiful woman.” Many people in her community believe that she was the most beautiful girl in the entire world.
However, this beauty came at a price. As Adonia’s beauty increased, her vanity and pride also grew. Adonia began to believe that she was better than anyone else in her village.
In fact, Adonia proclaimed that she would only marry the most handsome and richest man in Mexico. One day, a young, handsome, and wealthy man rode into Adonia’s village.
This gentleman whose name was Alejandro, was the son of a wealthy silver miner. The town thought Alejandro was incredibly handsome and a beautiful singer. This young man was also well-known for breaking the most wild stallions in the land.
Later that day, Alejandro heard the townspeople talking about Adonia’s beauty. However, he failed to heed their warning of her pride and vanity. Alejandro attempted to court Adonia but she turned away his serenades and expensive gifts. The more Adonia refused Alejandro’s advances, the more he wanted to win her heart and marry her.
Everything was turning out as Adonia planned and soon Alejandro asked her to become his wife. In the beginning, the newly wed couple seemed happy and even had two children. After a few years, Alejandro began leaving their home for months at a time, hunting for wild stallions and the hearts of other women. He no longer seemed to care for Adonia but he did love their two children dearly.
As vain and prideful as Adonia was, she became very angry with Alejandro. In fact, when Alejandro spent more time with their children, the more Adonia’s soul began to fill with hatred.
One night, when Adonia was playing outside by the lake with her two children, she saw Alejandro. Alejandro was out riding and courting a very wealthy and beautiful woman. Rage and hatred took over Adonia completely.
Later that night, Adonia tricked her young children into a game. She told them to race her down to the banks of the lake. When they had all arrived, Adonia scooped them up and threw them into the water. However, Adonia knew that neither of her children could swim. As her children drowned, Adonia’s hatred passed and she dove in the water after them. By the time she got to both of her young children, it was too late.
The next morning, Alejandro discovered that his two children were missing and that his wife lay dead on the bank of the lake. The townspeople and Alejandro decided to bury Adonia where they had found her.
The following night, many villagers stopped by Adonia’s grave to lay flowers and pray for her. Each time a villager stopped by they heard the sound of a crying woman asking “where are my children...where are my children” by the banks of the lake.
Now many of the villager’s children had heard this tale and wanted to see if the rumors were true. So, on a very dark and chilly evening some kids decided to explore the lakeside for themselves. Not long after they had arrived did the crying and chanting begin. However, this time Adonia appeared, dressed in a long gown, crying, and reached out to the nearest child.
Ever since then, Adonia has been called La Llorona, “the weeping woman.” Children are warned never to go out at night near the lakeside, for La Llorona will try to snatch them and ensure that they never return home.
