In Ecuador's Andes mountain range, there lies a valley, called the Country of the Blind. Many years ago, the valley lay open to the outside world, and many people crossed the mountains to settle there beside its rich meadows and sparkling mountain streams. Then came the great eruption of the nearly volcano, and there was a tremendous landslide which cut off the valley from the outside world. Next came the curse, which caused every following generation to be born blind, with no cure, and after many years had passed, the people forgot that their ancestors could see, living their lives happily without their sight in the beautiful lands.