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Genuine Oaxacan Alebrije
Artisan: Florencio Fuentes
Hometown: San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico
Craftsmanship: Original Oaxacan Folk Art; Hand Carved from One Piece of Copal Tree Wood; Meticulously Hand Painted; Signed on Bottom by Artisan; Exclusive & Unique; Eagle and Prey is the Only One in the World
Fun Backstory about Eagle and Prey
The day had started out bad for Aguila. He was, after all, the Master of the Skies in his part of Oaxaca, Mexico. As a golden eagle he was the most regal and powerful bird around. But, of late, he was less than successful in most of his undertakings.
It all began, he realized, when he saw himself in the reflecting pool his friend Halcon had discovered. What he saw amazed him almost to the point of shock! He did not, he realized, look exactly like other golden eagles he knew! True, he was brown and tan, but there was a whole lot more to Aguila than that.
Take his head, for example. It was the customary tan, but his head was adorned with rust colored geometric figures. Then, there was the fact that his chest was reddish-brown with intricate, colorful designs. The inside of his wings were purple, and supported designs like those painted by the Zapotecs, the indigenous natives to the area. His under wings, with their black circles and blue posies, were unlike those of any other golden eagle he had ever seen.
Knowing what he looked like, had, apparently, unnerved him to the point that he lost his edge as one of the premier hunters in the world. And that was what had made his morning less than pleasant. As unbelievable as it may seem, he had already “missed” a fat hare and a three foot long snake - - both of which would have been a good meal. Finally, he had made a catch. Unfortunately, it was nothing more than a scrawny ring-tailed squirrel. And, it hadn't stopped jabbering since he had scooped it up! A little disgusted for having to settle for such lousy fare, he looked down to see what he actually had.
As squirrels go, this one was butt ugly! His tail had gray and black rings with a brown tip; he had a brown belly and a black and gray spotted head with blue ears! And, he was still excitedly jabbering.
“Amigo,” the squirrel said hopefully, “you are just like me.”
Aguila looked at him with somewhat of a jaundiced eye, having to admit he admired the squirrel’s bravado. With the excitement of hope that the eagle’s pause had created, the squirrel went on.
“Listen, my name is Ardilla, and I am just like you.”
Ardilla had peaked his interest, and Aguila realized he would at least have to find out what he was talking about.
“What do you mean,” he asked, tightening his grip ever so slightly, “we are just alike.”
“We have extraordinary looks. You could catch a hundred more squirrels today and they all would look alike - - but none of them would look like me. And,” Ardilla went on, sensing he had hit a nerve with Aguila, “there is not another golden eagle in the world that looks like you.”
Aguila loosened his grip slightly, making his captive more comfortable but not giving him any hope of escape. Ardilla was right, they both were unique looking. As he pondered this, he was again interrupted by the jabbering.
“But, mi amigo, I have learned how to use it to my advantage, and I can tell that you have not!”
Now Ardilla really had his attention!
“How, exactly, do you use it to your advantage?” he asked, loosening his grip a little more.
“All of the other squirrels, especially the ladies, know that I am different, and they are intrigued by it. So, I engage them in conversation, indicating but never actually declaring, that I might be able to help them to be as unique as I am. And then I mention something I would like to have - - some soft material to line my nest; a large nut to quell my hunger, or even someone to snuggle with. And, lo and behold, before long they have made arrangements to provide me with what I need.”
Aguila considered what he had just been told. Looking back, he realized that other golden eagles had, in fact, paid him some undo attention - - especially the ladies. If what Ardilla had told him was true, it might be possible for him to never have to worry about catching prey again - -
it would all be brought to him on the proverbial silver platter! It was, he realized, worth a shot. In fact, he could hardly wait to give it a try! However, before that, he had to decide what to do with this scrawny little squirrel.
Somehow, it seemed wrong to eat him after he had potentially opened up a whole new world to him. On the other hand, he was powerfully hungry. Looking down, he smiled inwardly as Ardilla game him a hopeful, toothy grin. Nodding his head ever so slightly, he made his decision and was sure that Ardilla would be more than a little surprised when he discovered that he had decided to ……..
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