44 pages • 1 hour read
Ann Nolan ClarkSecret of the Andes
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1952A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapters 9-12Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 9 Summary: “Amauta Comes”
After returning from the journey to the Salt Pits, Cusi struggles to reconcile his memories of the outside world with the reality of life in Hidden Valley. As shearing season arrives, Cusi finds comfort in the hard work of helping Chuto shear the llamas. Together they work tirelessly from dawn to dusk. After shearing, they begin training Misti, Cusi’s black llama, to become a burden-bearer. Cusi is proud and eager to teach Misti, but he quickly discovers that even his trusted companion will resist when overloaded. Misti refuses to carry too much weight and spits in protest when Cusi pushes him too far.
Their routine is suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a powerful, kingly figure who announces himself as Amauta, the wise teacher. Amauta wears golden earplugs, much like Cusi’s, but larger and more impressive. Amauta declares that it is time for Cusi to be trained, as it has been ordered by a higher authority.
Chapter 10 Summary: “A Mission Unshared”
An indeterminate amount of time has passed since Amauta’s departure, leaving Cusi restless and longing for purpose. He had passed the traditional 30-day examination of strength, endurance, and knowledge, earning the Amauta’s approval. Cusi is still haunted by questions about his origins and family, feeling an intense longing for connection, which grows as he watches the family in the lower valley. Chuto, who also spends time observing the family, finally tells Cusi that they are deserving of this year’s llama gift. Cusi is excited to be included in the selection of the llamas, viewing it as an opportunity to bond with Chuto and gain answers to his questions. Cusi selects a younger llama, but Chuto rejects the choice, explaining that poorly trained llamas can be ruined. The process is interrupted when Chuto nearly reveals a deeper truth about the llamas and their significance but stops himself.
Cusi continues helping Chuto until 12 llamas are selected. He hopes that Chuto will invite him to deliver the llamas to the family, but Chuto makes it clear that he will go alone, which frustrates and disappoints Cusi. Chuto explains that other families had lived in the valley in previous years, a revelation that surprises Cusi, who had never noticed them. As Chuto sits in silent prayer, Cusi turns away, resigned to the fact that this journey will not be shared.
Chapter 11 Summary: “The Sign”
Cusi, feeling restless and uncertain, notices Misti acting unusually, leading him on a mysterious path through a canyon. As they travel, Cusi realizes they are walking through ancient, expertly carved Inca stonework. The path leads to a ruined temple, where Cusi discovers a sacred stone boulder used in Inca rituals to “tie” the Sun during the winter solstice. On a stone throne, he finds a pair of small golden sandals. Feeling an instinctive connection, Cusi knows they belong to him and takes them.
When he returns home at dawn, he finds Chuto waiting for him by the fire. Cusi shows him the sandals, and Chuto, recognizing them as a powerful sign, performs a sacred ritual with coca leaves and llama fat. Chuto tells Cusi that the sign means he must now journey alone to Cuzco, the Holy City, to find what he seeks. Although Cusi longs for a family, he cannot express this to Chuto, but he knows the journey will help fulfill his deepest desires. As dawn approaches, Chuto prepares Cusi for the trip, revealing that seven llamas are already packed and ready. Cusi follows Chuto down the trail, ready to begin his journey.
Chapter 12 Summary: “The Valley Below”
Cusi sets off eagerly on the trail, followed by Misti and seven other llamas. As he nears the valley, Cusi grows more anxious but remains determined to reach the family he has watched from afar. When Cusi finally arrives at the clearing, he is shocked to find that the family is gone and the shelter has vanished. He realizes that Chuto, from far above, is aware of his pain and is mourning with him. Cusi accepts the situation without questioning why the family left, understanding that he must follow the path his heart leads him on. He resolves to continue his journey to Cuzco.
Chapters 9-12 Analysis
The Hidden Valley symbolizes both comfort and limitation. It is a place of safety where Cusi has been protected from the outside world, but it also represents emotional and intellectual confinement. As Cusi returns to the valley after his journey beyond its borders, his perspective shifts. The valley, once a source of solace, now feels isolating and empty, highlighting that while the environment can offer protection, it can also limit growth when one becomes too dependent on its stability. The mountains enclosing the Hidden Valley physically represent the emotional barriers Cusi must overcome. They shield him from the outside world but also block him from fully engaging with it. Reflecting on his memories of the swinging bridge and the rapids, Cusi realizes he must eventually leave the valley to fully understand his identity. The valley’s quiet and isolation, once comforting, now contrast with the larger world Cusi is beginning to encounter, signaling that personal growth requires movement beyond familiar boundaries.
Cusi’s journey beyond the Hidden Valley reveals the transformative power of the environment. As Cusi traverses new landscapes, from steep mountain trails to open valleys, these environments mirror his internal transformation. The physical effort required to navigate these spaces—crossing bridges, climbing hills, and enduring physical challenges—parallels Cusi’s emotional and spiritual journey toward maturity. The natural world serves as both a test and a guide, pushing Cusi to confront his limitations and grow beyond them.
The discovery of the golden sandals in the ancient temple further illustrates how nature and environment are intertwined with Cusi’s understanding of his cultural identity. The sandals, found in a temple overgrown with “purple orchids” (78) and surrounded by hand-hewn stone steps, represent a blending of the natural world and the sacred traditions of the Incas. This connection suggests that the environment itself holds the key to unlocking Cusi’s heritage. The temple, carved from stone and hidden in the earth, is part of nature. Cusi’s discovery of the sandals in this natural setting reinforces the idea that the environment plays an active role in guiding individuals toward understanding their place within the larger flow of history and culture.
The Amauta fulfills the role of a custodian of Incan tradition and knowledge. His title, “Amauta,” is a Quechua term meaning “wise one” or “teacher,” a figure responsible for preserving and transmitting cultural, historical, and spiritual knowledge. He educates Cusi in “the history of his Ancients, plant lore, herb medicine, and the secrets of the stars,” (70) ensuring that Cusi understands the intellectual and spiritual foundation of his people. By teaching Cusi the use of the quipu, the Amauta connects Cusi to his ancestors and the cultural significance of his heritage. The Amauta’s emotionally distant demeanor highlights the seriousness of Cusi’s journey. Unlike Chuto, who is a father figure, or the minstrel, who brought warmth and joy into Cusi’s life, the Amauta’s role is one of intellectual mentorship. The Amauta’s purpose is to guide Cusi toward his destiny, not to offer companionship or emotional support. This detachment reflects the larger theme of duty and destiny: The lessons of the Amauta are not about immediate gratification or personal comfort but about preparing Cusi for a future role that requires him to rise above personal longing and accept his place in the Incan tradition.
These chapters also focus on the recurring motif of the heart as the guide for Cusi’s actions. When the Amauta says, “Your heart will command your mind and your body. Your heart is good and brave because these many years it has been in the strong hands of Chuto,” (72) he emphasizes the belief in the heart as the seat of wisdom and courage. This advice resonates throughout these chapters, reinforcing the idea that Cusi must learn to trust his own instincts and desires, especially in a world where his origins remain shrouded in mystery. The heart, rather than intellectual knowledge or physical strength, becomes the key to Cusi’s future, symbolizing his internal compass as he navigates the complexities of identity and purpose.
