Zipitio is older than the rocks, even older than the river, but he doesn’t seem old. He is only as big as a child. He wears a tall black hat and has a round shiny stomach. His feet point backwards and his toes sport long pointy nails, and when you look at him you don’t know if he is coming or going. But there is no real need to be afraid of him. He hides down by the river. The only time you will see him is when he falls in love.

Rufina Pérez is a young Nahua girl of the Pipil people in Salvador. Her mother wants her to be prepared in case Zipitio appears to her down by the river, now that she is becoming so pretty and grown-up.

Sure enough, the next time Rufina goes down to the river, there he is. Rufina runs away and leaves Zipitio crying of a broken heart. But Rufina’s mother is wise. She knows that Zipitio has fallen in love with every young woman in the village. She knows that there is nothing to fear.
Best of all, she knows how to help Rufina deal with Zipitio’s love.