Startled to hear

I was startled to read in Mario Vargas Llosa's The Storyteller that according to a seripigari "Being born with a face like yours (Mascarita) isn't the worst evil; it's not knowing one's obligation." This is exactly the reason why Mascarita is so enamored with these people, they perceive only their purpose within their treatment of the world and those in it. This accounts for the surprisingly good treatment of Mascarita as he can still fulfill the two paramount functions of the Machiguengas: storytelling and walking. As long as the sun continues to rise and the people keep moving they are like saints. However those that lack the ability to do their part in keeping the sun up are considered outcasts and demons. Perhaps a cruel outlook to some, but it has brought them a very long ways and they are still walking, and the sun is still rising.