Where the River Begins to Speak
Today I’m at Radal Siete Tazas National Park, one of Chile’s most striking natural landmarks — a sequence of seven perfectly carved pools formed by the Río Claro as it cuts through volcanic rock.
It’s a stunning place to see in person: the rhythm of falling water, the dark stone polished by centuries, and the echo that fills the canyon. But beyond its beauty, there’s also a story — a legend that explains how these “Seven Cups
It’s a tale of love, family, and the power of nature, passed down through generations of people who have lived near these mountains. And, as you’ll see — or maybe hear — it still lives in the sound of the water today.
The Seven Sisters of Water and Stone
Long ago, in the highlands of what is now Chile’s Maule Region, a young shepherd named Catriel lived peacefully with his beloved Ayelén. He raised llamas and alpacas whose wool was said to be the finest in the valley. Many came to trade with him, among them Ayelén, a woman with eyes as dark as river stones. Their friendship soon grew into love.
One day, Catriel brought her a basket filled with his best wool. At the bottom, Ayelén discovered a ring carved by his own hands. That same evening, beneath the light of the Andes, she became his wife.
They built their home near the mountains, where the sky burned with stars. Over the years they had seven daughters — Aneley, Aimará, Sayen, Mailén, Inara, Ailín, and Amancay, the youngest. Though Catriel had once wished for a son, he soon realized the strength and joy of his seven girls. They helped him tend the animals, weave soft wool, and fill their home with laughter.
One summer, when the days grew long and the girls were restless, Catriel decided to build something special for them. With his own hands, he carved seven pools into the rock, shaped like cups and filled with the crystal waters of the Río Claro. The sisters played there under the sun, their laughter blending with the sound of the falls.
But one day, a dark sorcerer tried to cast a spell to take them away. The magic struck the enchanted waters and turned against him, transforming the sorcerer into a small toad. From that day on, the sisters were forever safe.
When Catriel and Ayelén passed away, their daughters remained close to the pools, growing old beside the waters that held their childhood joy.
They say that even now, if you stand quietly beside the waterfalls of Radal Siete Tazas National Park, you can sometimes hear the laughter of the seven sisters — echoing through the forest, carried by the voice of the river that has never forgotten them.
Explore the series at gcs.photo — fine art photography where water, memory, and time become poetic meditation.
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