The School of the Magic Drum 4: Boitatá

Deep in the rainforest, where the sun struggles to penetrate the dense canopy, there is a hidden school known only to a few local people. The School of the Magic Drum is led by the wise Pajé Iru, a shaman and guardian of ancient traditions. Every day, he teaches children about the rainforest, its secrets, and the creatures that protect it. And when necessary, he calls for help with his magical drum Tupã.

One hot day, the children at the School of the Magic Drum were feeling restless. The air was dry and heavy, and the children sensed that something strange was happening – it was as if the forest were holding its breath.

Pajé Iru also sensed that something unusual was happening, so first thing in the morning he gathered all the children around him and said seriously: “Today we’re going to talk about fire. Fire can be very dangerous. If it spreads where it shouldn’t, it can destroy all living things. The dry season has begun and we must all be very careful.”

Pedro, who loved stories, especially when they had happy endings, frowned. “But we use fire every day! We need it for cooking, for warmth…”

Pajé Iru nodded. “You’re right, Pedro. Fire is like a wild animal – it can be a faithful helper, but if we don’t treat it with respect, it can do a lot of damage.”

Suddenly, they heard a strange crackling sound. The air trembled and there was a slight whiff of smoke. Pajé Iru put his ear to the ground, listened for a moment, and then said seriously, “The fire has awakened. We must ask Boitatá for help.”

The children gasped. They had often heard stories at home about Boitatá – a fire snake…