Legacy.
The Curupira folklore was, probably, the first ever to be documented in Brazil, by the priest José de Anchieta in 1560. Long before the arrival of the colonisers, the natives used to tell stories about the fantastic being that lived in the forest and protected it from any harm. The name Curupira means "child's body" in the Tupi-Guarani language. Although there are some regional variations in his description, his most popular version is the form of a boy with flame-coloured hair and feet turned backwards. Also, various powers are attributed to him, including the ability to cast illusions and enchantments, super speed, transmutation, and great strength. There is only one consensus: Curupira is the proud guardian of the fauna and flora - a fair and brave entity indeed. He does not tolerate those who threaten to harm the environment, but he helps those who are lost or in need. Like all children, he enjoys gifts and harmless mischief.
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His most powerful weapon against hunters, loggers and other villains is his cunning. Full of tricks, he misleads the wrongdoers, making them get lost in the woods. His backward feet, for example, have the effect of confusing hunters who may try to follow his tracks. He also uses whistles and imitates sounds of both nature and human voice to confuse his targets. His most severe punishment would be to transform the predator into prey, for example, make an evil hunter become a helpless woodland critter. We can summarise the legend of Curupira as a myth of nature protection. He is a supernatural force that defends plants and animals from harmful hunting, fishing and resource extraction made by men. It's an unforgettable mark in Brazilian culture, especially useful to enhance environmental awareness among children and grown-ups alike.