Many stories about gold objects of great monetary value circulate in the villages of the sierra. They include figures such as the old man (machu) and the goblins, both of whom are guardians of secrets, treasures, and curses, luck and fortune. From time to time they may give happiness to anyone who is searching or who by chance runs into one of them.
It is said that the goblins and Machu live in the huacas or caves where they protect their treasures.
50 years ago, people could build anywhere, whether it was on soft or rocky soil. It was enough to have a little bit of gunpowder and dynamite to be able to break up rocks and start with construction.
People found hidden riches under the rocks, though all this came with curses. Those who found these riches did not live long to enjoy them. It was more their children and their families who benefited.
It is said that the Bernardo was a common and ordinary villager who was engaged in agriculture along with his two sons and his wife. As is tradition every so often there were fiestas where you could enjoy food and drink.
The whole town was in a fiesta and, after drinking a lot, Bernardo wanted to go to the bathroom. They just did it in the open air. One of Bernardo’s friends left the party and went to a rock to urinate.
After a moment Bernardo so left and was surprised to see that his friend was being dragged to the bottom of a hole that had opened on earth. He did not hesitate to help.
He Pulled with all his strength to help his friend and finally managed to get him out when suddenly the earth closed.
He returned with his friend to the party and left him to rest. They did not tell the other people anything so they would not panic. Bernardo went out again to see what it was exactly.
From afar he saw a creature that looked like a human. It was an enraged goblin who was now caught since he was now being watched. The duende suddenly turned around and ran into Bernardo. A hole opened in the ground and the goblin escaped, leaving behind his treasure.
What happened was in that rock lived a goblin and when the man urinated on it, the goblin had become enraged and wanted to take to his cave to that person who had done such an action. Bernardo was left with the treasure and never heard of the goblin again.
In this way many people fear encountering these figures and take care that no one harms the huacas and stones they possess in their villages.
