The Queen of Water

In a desperately poor Andean village in Ecuador, 7-year-old Virginia is sold off by her indgena (Indian) parents as a servant to an academic, mestizo family. In her new home, the wife beats her, the husband gropes her, and she is insulted as a longa tonta (stupid Indian). Still, she teaches herself to read and write and begins to perform science experiments in secret. Then, when she is 12, she finally gets a chance to return to her parents: But does she want to? And do they want her? Virginia does travel back to her indgena family, but there is not the expected sweet reunion.