The whistle at noon

In Paraguay and the north of Argentina, children are told not to play outside in the middle of the day. Not because of the heat, although the heat is real. Because of something that whistles from inside the trees.

He is small, with long blond hair, and he carries a golden stick. His name is Yasí Yateré. He whistles once, and then again a little closer. Children who follow the sound walk into the trees and forget the way home.

Sometimes the children come back after two or three days. They are not hurt, but they cannot speak for a while and they do not remember anything. The old people say he feeds them honey and that is why they forget.

The advice given to families is very practical. Keep the children inside between noon and three. If you hear a whistle, do not answer it. And if a child does not come home, look near the water first, because that is where they are usually found.