[vc_row rt_row_background_width=»fullwidth» rt_row_content_width=»default» rt_row_style=»default-style» rt_row_height=»» rt_row_borders=»» rt_row_shadows=»» rt_column_gaps=»» rt_row_paddings=»true» rt_bg_effect=»classic» rt_transparent_bg=»» rt_bg_image_repeat=»repeat» rt_bg_size=»cover» rt_bg_position=»right top» rt_bg_attachment=»scroll» rt_bg_video_format=»self-hosted»][vc_column rt_col_paddings=»true» rt_wrp_col_paddings=»false» rt_column_shadow=»» rt_border_top=»» rt_border_bottom=»» rt_border_left=»» rt_border_right=»» rt_border_top_mobile=»» rt_border_bottom_mobile=»» rt_border_left_mobile=»» rt_border_right_mobile=»» rt_bg_image_repeat=»repeat» rt_bg_size=»auto auto» rt_bg_position=»right top» rt_bg_attachment=»scroll»][vc_column_text]Algunas noches de luna irradiante, inundados los muros de la parte antigua de una suave luz plateada y de sombras fantasmagóricas, se escuchan lo que parecen suspiros en la imaginación o una brisa de aire en la razón de quienes pasan a esas horas delante de la mansión de los Cáceres Nidos. Suspiros que semejan gritos de rabia y tristeza contenidas a la par, provenientes de lugares ocultos a la mirada.
Under the window of the corner tower, a stone monkey, which no one notices any more, accentuates its fierce and immutable grimace those nights, pointing to the place where the tragedy that provoked the madness of his jealousy was consummated in what was once his home, which will henceforth be called the Monkey's house because of him.
In times long forgotten, there lived there a young lady, who, in the prime of her youth, was forced by her ambitious father to unite her fate with that of a gentleman twice her age, but of good money and position. The noble husband, however, was of a gentle and attentive character, and soon won the regard of the woman's heart, who desired nothing more, from the moment she forgot her reservations in the face of her crooked fate, than to give him a son to give the family name to their union.
But a few years passed and the couple's happiness gradually turned to despair and bitterness as the longed-for child did not arrive. Her desolation increased the weeks that her husband spent in other lands to attend to his business, leaving his young wife in an unbearable loneliness.
To alleviate the pain he saw in her on his departure and the state of abandonment in which he found her on his return, the nobleman brought her a small monkey as a present from one of his journeys, which she could look after and keep as a faithful companion. But such was the woman's desire to be a mother that she behaved as such with the animal, which even had its own room and bed.
But fate is sometimes relentlessly merciless, and what was a solution to a misfortune turned into a tragedy. It seemed that the solution satisfied the couple: for him, to see her happy and full of life again; for her, because illusion overcame reason and worked the miracle of enjoying what she had longed for. The husband left again, this time without fear or guilt. He would be gone for months this time.
During his absence, one day a stranger arrived in the town of Cáceres, whose appearance made it clear that he was well off, looking for a place to spend the night before continuing on his journey, but he could not find it in any inn. He inquired among the locals for some way of finding a place to rest and rest from his fatigue, worried that the night would be upon those who did not like to sleep in the open. And so he learned not only of the loneliness, but also of the beauty of the merchant's wife. He decided to try his fortune and woo her with sweet words, so earnestly that she finally lightened her jealous guardianship of his honour and state, and invited the traveller to spend the night at her house, not overlooking her husband's absence as he would have wished.
Nothing more was heard of the occasional beau when he left in the morning, but the seed of the encounter, which had eluded her so much in her husband's arms, was unexpectedly kindled in her.
When the master returned, the unfaithful woman left him ignorant of the episode, but not of its outcome, the news of which he received with pride and hope:
- At last I shall have offspring! - he shouted with glee.
He spared no attentions to his wife. He instructed the servants to be ready to fulfil any wish he wanted. He transformed rooms and chambers... And in eager preparation for the future event, they both relegated the monkey to complete oblivion.
His unhappiness and helplessness led the animal to hide in any corner where he felt he was not a nuisance, in his fear that one day he would be taken out of their lives for good. Fed by the pain, he grew a dark and intense resentment towards those who had once lavished so much care on him.
The day has finally arrived!
When the child was born, the ape understood, in his weak reason, the real reason for his unjust abandonment and the loss of his mistress's affection. In his tortuous mind, rage gained space and, with it, one of his swords, revenge.
Patiently, he searched for an opportunity to regain his place in the hearts of humans and, one morning, he found it. The cradle was for a moment unguarded. He approached it and held tightly the baby, who began to cry in his arms.
And he did not hesitate.
Blinded by jealousy, he threw the usurper out of the window of the room, into the corner tower, putting him to death, trusting that with it he would return the favour and love of his masters.
But it wasn't like that...
Black girded the house. Happiness and hope fled from it forever.
The monkey managed to escape from those hands in which he was looking for the caresses to return and which he now understood were looking for his death. It was sought and...
On some nights with the moon shining brightly, you can hear in front of the Monkey's house what sounds like sighs, like cries of rage and sadness contained on a par with those who mourn the ingratitude and abandonment of their owners.
José Luis Hinojal Santos
caceresensuspiedras.com
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