Chapter 2: The Chief's Three Daughters

In a large village, near Strong Wind's forest lives a wealthy chief with his three daughters. 

Their home sits on top of a small hill, overlooking the other huts. It is the biggest hut in the village, beautifully decorated.

The two older sisters, Maka and Kiona, are known for their beauty. They have long, shiny black hair and wear the finest clothes decorated with colorful beads. But their hearts are not as beautiful as their faces. They are proud and cruel, especially to their younger sister.

The youngest sister, Nayeli, is different. She wears simple clothes and doesn't worry about how she looks. Instead, she has a warm smile and kind eyes that light up when she laughs. When her sisters are mean to her, she just makes a joke about it and continues with her day.

Every morning, Maka and Kiona spend hours fixing their hair and choosing their clothes. They walk through the village like they are better than everyone else. When one of the village elders needs help carrying water, they turn up their noses and walk away. 

But Nayeli is always ready to help. She not only carries water for the elders, but also makes them laugh with her funny stories.

When little children fall and hurt themselves, she helps them up and makes silly faces until they stop crying. 

One evening, their father the Chief returns from a meeting with other chiefs. 

During dinner, he brings up something that everyone has been talking about. "Strong Wind is still looking for a wife," he says. "For a long time now, women from everywhere have tried to win his heart, but no one has passed his test." He looks at his three daughters. "You are all old enough to marry now. Maybe you should try too."

The sisters look at each other. Everyone knows about Strong Wind – the invisible warrior who keeps the villages safe. They have heard many stories about how he is the best, and one of a kind.

Maka and Kiona sit up straight when they hear about the special test that has stopped all other women: "Remember," their father says, "Strong Wind will only marry someone who can see him when he's invisible. Many beautiful women have come with nice gifts, but none of them could do it."

"Those other women probably weren't pretty enough," Maka says, already making plans.

"We'll find a way," Kiona adds with a bright smile.

Only Nayeli stays quiet, thinking about what it really means to see someone you cannot see.

Maka and Kiona get very excited. They start planning how to win Strong Wind's heart. "I will wear my finest dress," says Maka. 

"And I will bring him precious gifts," adds Kiona. 

They spend hours talking about their expensive clothes and jewelry.

Nayeli listens, fascinated, to her father's stories. She doesn't care about Strong Wind's fame or wealth. Instead, she wishes she could hear about how he manages to help so many people and protect the villages. "He must be a very special person," she thinks to herself.

The next day, Maka and Kiona begin preparing for their journey to meet Strong Wind. They pack their most beautiful clothes and precious gifts. When Nayeli says she would like to meet Strong Wind too, they laugh at her.

"You?" Maka opens her eyes wide. "In those plain clothes?"

"Strong Wind would never look at someone like you," Kiona adds with a mean smile.

But the carefree Nayeli doesn’t let it bother her. She continues sweeping the floor, humming a happy tune, while thinking of all the questions she would like to ask Strong Wind!

As the sun sets that evening, the three sisters are excited for their journey the next day. Maka and Kiona are sure they will win Strong Wind's heart with their beauty and wealth – They are the Chief's daughters, after all!

Nayeli, on the other hand, goes to bed thinking about the invisible warrior who helps others and wondering what kind of person he really is.

That night, the stars shine brightly as three very different sisters dream about the future.

Little do they know, by tomorrow's sunset, all their lives will change forever.

Continues in the next chapters…

Comprehension Questions

1. What makes Maka and Kiona different from Nayeli in terms of personality?
2. Why do you think Maka and Kiona are described as having “hearts that are not as beautiful as their faces”?
3. What does the Chief suggest to his daughters during dinner, and how do they each react?
4. Why does Nayeli want to meet Strong Wind?
5. What do Maka and Kiona think will help them win Strong Wind’s heart? How do they prepare for their journey?
6. How does Nayeli react to her sisters' mean comments about her plain clothes and simple appearance?
7. What does the closing scene, with the three sisters dreaming under the stars, suggest about the journey ahead?

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