In 1519 Mexico, panic and fear envelop the pueblo as children not of pure Spanish descent begin to vanish. Having lived through persecution and exile by the Spanish conquest, a witch has found that their magic has manifested and grown. After being visited by an unwanted acquaintance, the witch is faced with a decision: save the children or revenge on the people who once persecuted them? WHY THE TORTOISE CARRIES ITS TROUBLES ON ITS BACK  is an atmospheric, postcolonial horror folktale seeming to reclaim what is lost and examine our human capacity for hatred, love, and forgiveness.