A real fairy tale

João and Maria at the Manaus-Porto Velho Road. Photo: Adriano Gambarini

Adriano Gambarini
In 2010 I took part in an expedition along the legendary BR-319 Road. A cracked asphalt tear in the largest tropical forest in the world. An original land of the peoples of the forest, torn away by those greedy of power and given to the naive ones who seek life.
And it was in this part of a country without Brazil that I met João and Maria.
Unlike the story of John and Mary that falls asleep in some childish corner of our memory, I didn’t follow a trail of breadcrumbs. To meet Maria and João, one must only follow the listening of the heart.
Brazil’s Hansel and Gretel’s house is not made of candy walls and a cookie roof. The walls are made from wood from their backyard, and painted with blue flowers and pink and yellow butterflies by Maria’s hands. Under João’s sweet gaze.
There are no hungry witches out to make good use of Maria and João.
For in the life of João and Maria goodness reigns, and there is no room for something evil and human. The pure souls of Maria and João are protected by the superior strength of the Amazonian mother’s enchanted ones.
João and Maria took short steps on a wide road until they reached this corner of the world. They were born northeast, grew up southerners, rest north.
Maria and João went several times from where they are.
But for some reason that only perhaps the subtlety of the shadows of the great forest can understand, João and Maria always came back. Without following breadcrumbs.
Because to seek your destiny, you don’t need traces, just follow your soul. Calmly. As did Maria and João.