It is said that two brothers grew up beneath the same sky, although their hearts followed opposite paths.
One was generous and helped those around him. The other was ruled by jealousy and treated even those who loved him with cruelty.
In time, a dispute set them against one another. They fought until both lay mortally wounded in the forest. The gods decided to turn them into trees so their story would endure.
The dark-hearted brother became the Chechén. Its sap could irritate the skin and leave a painful mark. The noble brother became the Chacá, recognizable by its smooth, reddish bark, and grew nearby.
In the legend, the tree associated with healing stood beside the one that caused harm.
Two trees from our region
Across the Yucatán Peninsula and the Riviera Maya, people often say the Chacá grows close to the Chechén. Their closeness helped keep the legend alive, making the trees symbols of harm and healing.
The legend is a cultural story, not a treatment for skin irritation. Its lesson is about responsibility: when we cause harm, we should try to make amends and learn from our actions.