The Ghost Tree

WILL AN ANCIENT LEDGEND WEAVE A YOUNG GIRL'S DESTINY?
In a remote mountain village lives Grandmother Atl, a very talented weaver, and her
granddaughter, Nemimati. Nemimati wants nothing more than to help her grandmother
live a better life, so she convinces her to enter a contest where the winner will receive
the title of royal weaver-and get to live in the comfort of the royal palace.
Grandmother Atl sends Nemimati and her young friend, Mishtla, to gather the
scarce magical beans from which a luminous golden dye can be made. Eventually,
the children stop to rest near the ruins of the mysterious palace garden where
Goddess Tonantzin's Ghost Tree of legend fortuitously appears and graciously fills
their baskets. However, not until the day of the long awaited contest does Nemimati
hear the miraculous tree's appearance explained.
This mythic tale is set in the pre-Columbian era of legendary Toltec emperor
Quetzalcoatl. His legend proclaims him a beneficent sovereign who promoted
heartfelt personal sacrifice for one another rather than the religious rite of sacrificed
hearts practiced by other rulers. It is also stated that he presented his subjects with
wealth and all knowledge.