The Child from the Stars (English Version)

By Prof. Constancia

Dedicated to Marco.

In the sky there are secret places that we do not yet know...there are sights, colors and music that are not yet known on earth. And in one of these corners of the sky, very far from the earth, there was a little star, where there lived a child who did nothing but one thing... play.

He played all day but the funny thing is that the more he played, the more he learned. He played all day with his little friends and angels. Sometimes they played and got closer to Earth... they experimented with the mixture of colors, painting the sky in different tones, purple and pink sunrises and sunsets tending to indigo, and colors that have yet to be known on earth.

They played music, instruments like violins and marimbas, flutes, bongos, huge pianos, cuatros, guitars, accordions, timpani, maracas and harps, of course. They also played some instruments that are yet to be known on earth. Oh, the concerts that were formed! Concerts that have not yet been heard on earth. (Although if you are quiet in a corner meditating, and you cover your ears well, it is possible that you hear some verses since on earth they can be heard but in absolute silence.)

Of course, they played sports... like mountaineering, acrobatics and darts (especially the group of Cupid's assistants). There was no shortage of a good game of soccer, basketball or volleyball... but also some sports that are yet to be known on earth.

One dawn the boy was amusing himself by running through the sky from one side to the other. He went to the farthest corner of the sky with a huge magic paintbrush, painting the reddish purple of the horizon. While the great Angel Sun looked at him with a half smile. He had almost found the shade of pink that he longed for when he suddenly bumped into a seagull quite unexpectedly and he dropped his brush... "A thousand apologies," said the seagull, and continued flying... He was going very fast!

 At that moment the boy stopped and went to pick up his brush, which had been left hanging on an already purple cloud. He searched for the brush in the cloud for a long time when he crossed paths with the seagull again, he passed by again and apologized again for tripping over him, “it's okay,” the boy told him, “I was done.” Finally, the boy found the paintbrush and at that moment he saw that the seagull was already far away returning to land. When he could no longer see the seagull he stared at the ground for a long time.

It had been dark for quite some time when the boy walked, ran and then flew to return to the little star.

–“Child” said a huge angel who was almost five stories tall, with long hair. “Where were you?”

–“Guardian Angel!” said the boy.

–“You know that sometimes I get distracted by the same old thing…Today I focused on the Earth again. And I have decided that this time I do want to go live there.

–Why do you want to go live on Planet Earth?

–I want to go because it is beautiful. It really is! I have been observing and there they have everything, kind plants and sweet flowers, divine water everywhere, and furious and playful animals, waterfalls in the mountains, furious winds and some playful winds where I could fly my kite. 

I saw divine beings that help support the Earth, some in the water, dolphins, whales as well as in the jungles like zebras, some tigers and elephants, and birds of all sizes that fly like us, they are the only ones that fly...but they are in danger and I want to go rescue them. There are children, many of them... and I saw many of them play like us, but I saw some cry and I want to go teach them many of our games that they still don't know or have forgotten so that they can be happy again.

-That is kind of you to want to help out. Anything else?

–Well, I had to come back…

-Alright. That seems very good to me. I see that you come with more and more details. Your powers of observation continue to develop. But it seems to me that you are not ready to go to earth yet. Your friends were looking for you.

-OK.

And the boy went to play with the other little ones.

And so the days passed, the months passed, the years passed...

The boy was playing soccer with his friends one night. The game was at its best when the boy kicked the ball and it went so far that he looked at his guardian angel and said..."I'm going to have to go get the ball. I'll be back…"

Well, he looked for it in the neighboring stars and didn't find it...then he went down and down and down until he stumbled upon some clouds near the Earth. Finally, searching in the clouds, he bent down and found the ball. But when he stopped, he focused on the Earth. He stayed looking, looking, looking for a long time…

And he continued looking until... he realized the time and returned to the little star.

Upon returning…

–Guardian Angel, said the boy.

-Yes..

–Today I looked at the Earth again. And I have decided that I want to go live there.

–Why do you want to go live on Earth?

–I want to go because it is beautiful... I stayed looking and there they have everything, plants, flowers, seas, waterfalls, the wind, I saw beings called monkeys, little fish, a dog, a cat, some little birds that fly like us, they are the only ones that fly... There are children , some that I know and many of them I saw play like us and I want to go teach them some of our games that they still don't know or in some cases have forgotten.

Did you see anything else?

–Yes, yes… today yes. I saw a man and a woman who live in a small house with 2 kittens. I saw that the woman asked tonight to have one more loved one in her home.

–And what do you think…

–Oh, Guardian Angel, I want to tell you but I don't dare...

–Come on then, you can trust me...

–I want to tell you that I want to go live with them... but I'm afraid you're going to tell me that...

–Child, you are ready to go live on Earth.

-Really?…

-Wonderful…!!

–Well, let's go now... your new family is waiting for you...but first you should say goodbye.

The child and his guardian angel said goodbye to the other children and angels...

–Then he approached the group of children and friends…

A girl approached him and kissed him on the cheek.

-“I also want to go to Earth,” she told the child, looking at her Guardian Angel.

–We could go together...do you think? and took the child by the hand.

His Angel told her…

–No girl… you're not ready. But you'll see each other there soon.

-You will remember me? The girl asked.

–I don't know, said the boy looking at the Angel...

They looked at each other and hugged. 

-Goodbye... Goodbye... remember what the angel said that we would see each other soon... Have a happy trip!

So it was. The boy walked with his Guardian Angel towards the Earth. They spent the whole time talking about the land. The Angel knew much more than him and answered each of his questions with frankness, kindness and compassion.

From time to time the angel would interrupt the child with a reminder like...

–You know I will always be with you. Maybe you'll forget... but remember that you will always have me by your side..

I know...and thank you Guardian Angel...I don't want to forget it either

–I will never leave you. But remember me. That by remembering me I will be able to help you even more...

 -I know..and thank you Guardian Angel...I don't want to forget it

Or

-You know child... I want you to know that you will never walk alone... you can call me when you need me and if you want more angels too... we will always be here we will walk with you...

-I know...and thank you Guardian Angel...I don't want to forget it, I know how important it is to know it and not forget it...

–If you forget…we will remind you in one way or another, you will know….

Several months later...

In the white-walled room of a hospital, under bright fluorescent lights, a very sweet and dear cry was heard... a tender creature.

A baby was immediately placed in the arms of a waiting mother. His father came up and gave him a kiss. The baby stopped crying immediately.

And so the child slept on his mother's chest in the new and beloved land all night. And he did so for many nights after that.

And his angel accompanies him to this day and smiles every time he hears him say something that his mother taught him, she learned it in a dream:

"Angel of God I remember you...

Angel to my left,

Angel to my right,

Angel around me and in my heart,

Be with me and guide me now and always,

This or something much better..."

THE END

When my son was younger he asked me to tell him this birthday story at night before bedtime. It was told and retold and more and more details were added each time until I finally wrote it down. In fact, this story is dedicated to my son Marco for his birthday and now he is 15. Anyone can use it to describe to the child the mystery and beauty of life. If you like the story, share it with your friends and let us know if you would like to see this story published. In fact, if you are a member of a publishing house, we are accepting offers to publish this story.

Spanish teacher

The Cute Little Cockroach – (English Version)

SPANISH VERSION

“The Cute Little Cockroach”

La Cucarachita

Original version by Cecilia Böhl de Faber, a.k.a. Fernán Caballero

Adapted by Prof. Constancia

illustrated by Jodie Aznar

There was once a fine little cockroach, she was bright and curious, caring and careful, adored by all who had the pleasure to know her. One day she was sweeping the outside steps to her house and she found a silver dollar. She thought to herself: ¿Qué haré con esto? What shall I do with this silver dollar? Shall I buy some turrón? Ay que rico. But no, I shall not for they are much too hard on my teeth.

Shall I buy some pasteles de guayaba? Mmmmmm…yummy. But no, I don’t want to overdo it with la azúcar. She thought about it long and hard and finally decided to go to the store downtown. Once there, she bought unos preciosos pendientes de plata. That’s Spanish for a precious pair of silver earrings.

She washed and combed her hair. She got dressed, put on a little colorete on her cheeks and sat down by la ventana. Since she was so delicate, emanating a certain serenidad about her and looked so beautiful, everyone who walked by the window of her house could not help but fall in love with her.

Un lobo passed by and said: “Exquisite one so fair…today you truly are a breath of fresh air.” To this she replied, you must have noticed my preciosos pendientes de plata.

–Cucarachita, ¿Te casas conmigo? Would you like to marry me? said el lobo.

–¿Why should I fall in love with you?—Cucarachita responded.

–The wolf began to howl… , Cucarachita only covered her ears with both patas.

–You can go your own way—she said to el lobo. You startle me, you surprise me and you scare me.

The same thing happened with un perro that barked.

Un gato that meowed,

Un cochino that grunted,

And un gallo that cockadoodled.

All of the suitors caused Cucarachita to run away: she accepted none.

Until one day Ratoncito Pérez, showed up, well dressed, with two other mouse friends, three little guitarritas, and without even asking, began to sing una serenata to Cucarachita.

The frogs, crickets and one centipede that was slowly walking…stopped and took a look at the performance. (Music: Happy Enchilada by Thomas Glenn Smith. You can listen at the TeachThemSpanish.com website)

Mi mami told me a story regarding that song, Happy Enchilada. That was the song that played…in the taxi…when mi mami and mi papi eloped…What a beautiful song.

He talked with her, she talked with him and soon they came to understand each other as he wooed her with his peaceful heart. In just a few weeks, Cucarachita, gave her hand in marriage to Ratoncito Pérez.

They lived enamorados, in love, feliz, and happily, a love like this had not been seen since forever. And, they lived with amor like this for many many years.

But one day Cucarachita, who was now a lot older went to mass by herself, because Ratoncito Perez was not well. He decided to stay home and rest.

After she placed the soup pot on the burner, she gave Ratoncito Pérez a warning that he should stir el asopao or soup with a big ladel and not the smaller one. But Ratoncito Pérez did the opposite of what his wife told him to do. He took the small spoon to stir el asopao and that is when her biggest fears came true. Ratoncito Pérez in his senile state, fell to the pot, as if sinking into a well and there he drowned.

When Cucarachita returned to her house, she called to the door. Nobody answered, nobody came to the door. Then she took her small key that she carried in her bag, placed the key in the keyhole, opened the lock and the door, and she ran straight for the kitchen. She took one look at the pot and there he was. How painful! Ratoncito Perez was floating around in the broth.

Cucarachita began to cry and cry. Pajarito came over to see what was wrong.

–Why are you crying?

–She responded.

–Because Ratoncito Perez without his glasses fell in the pot.

–Well I Pajarito, will cry with you just a little…and Cucarachita cried a lot.

Then came Paloma, and said:

–¿Why are you crying Pajarito?

–Because Ratoncito Pérez, without his glasses, fell in the pot, and Cucarachita feels sad and is crying a lot.

–Well I, Paloma, will cry for a little while with you and a little while longer with Señora de Pérez.

–Then asked the well:

–¿Why Paloma, are you crying?

–Because Ratoncito Pérez, without his glasses, fell in the pot, and Cucarachita feels sad and is crying a lot. Pajarito cried a little and I, Paloma, cried a little with Pajarito and a lot more with Señora.

–Well, I Fuente will cry even louder and I will never stop the flow of my water.

–Then along came Doña Josefa to fill the pitcher.

–¿Why Fuente...do you let your water overflow so?

–And…what is with all of this crying?

–Because Ratoncito Pérez without his glasses, fell in the pot, and Cucarachita de Pérez feels very sad and cries a lot. Pajarito cried for a little while. Paloma cried even more with the two of them, and I Fuente will cry even louder and will allow my water to overflow more and more each hour…

–Well I, Doña Josefa, will try and find the words of a prophet:

Now that I am aware of what is going on, and it is my turn to sing this song, I will end this sadness for once and for all.

With a prayer for poor Ratoncito Pérez, who fell in the pot; and for Cucarachita who feels sorry and cries a lot. May he rest in peace. Now we must all console Cucarachita de Pérez with love and care, knowing that Ratoncito Pérez now with San Pedro is at rest. He will not miss his glasses. He is now happy and at his best.

And so it was. The crying in the village soon began to diminish and in poor Cucarachita de Pérez’s face we soon began to see a glimpse of a smile. If you look at her carefully you may begin to see it too. Do you?

Snip, snap, snout, my tale is all told out.

=================================

I always liked this story…

The very first story I heard must have been “La Hormiguita” by Fernán Caballero (1796-1877). I have wonderful memories and images of this story. This story has been adapted since it was first published in Spain in the 19th century. It has been passed down from generation to generation, from country to country and now belongs to everyone. Every one of us makes the changes that most closely resembles our interpretation of the story and our interpretation of life, which can be the highest art form there is.

I took the liberty of making a few changes. First of all, I like to make her into a cute little cockroach because it is a bit therapeutic to the children who are in terror of them. With a little laughter that terror has a chance of diminishing.

To the happy couple I added a few years also because I think that it would be nice to give them both a nice long well lived life. To give hope to the next generation that you can find love on this earth and not lose it at such a young age. (As in the original version). This is also a natural way of teaching the child the concept of mortality. Just about every child at nine or ten is dealing with this concept, and trying to understand. To me, personally, it is important to give hope to a young one, to let him know that we continue to exist but in another form, whether that be in Heaven with god, or to be welcomed by Saint Peter or as they say “the never never land.” I think that this hope is planted at an early age. It becomes idealism or positive thinking in adulthood. But it is an early seed in childhood that must be nourished.

The birds and pigeons in this version do not get to cut their beaks, nor their tales, etc. (does not seem appropriate…) but on the contrary I thought it would be more productive to demostrate that it is o.k. to cry, and the support that they want to give each other is touching. There is much about the sense of life that can be learned from a story.

Many have changed the ending to the story. There are versions that exist where the mouse does not die at the end. But I think the lady prophet at the end may help in leading the way to closure to the tragedy. It is good to believe that things always do seem to work out at the end, no matter what.

I hope you like it.

If you like this story, please share with your friends, especially the little ones. Let us know if you would like to see this story published. In fact, if you know of a publishing company that could be interested we are accepting offers to publish this story. Please write to us at: TeachThemSpanish@gmail.com

Spanish teacher

El niño de las estrellas…

de Prof. Constancia

En el cielo hay lugares secretos que no conocemos…hay vistas, colores y música que aún no se conocen en la tierra. Y en uno de estos rincones del cielo muy lejos de la tierra había una estrellita, donde vivía un niño que no hacía nada más que una sola cosa… jugar.

Jugaba todo el día pero lo curioso es que cuanto más jugaba, más aprendía. Jugaba todo el día con sus amiguitos y angelitos. A veces jugaban y se acercaban más a la tierra…experimentaban con la mezcla de los colores, pintando el cielo de diferentes tonos, amaneceres y atardeceres morados y rosados tirando a índigos, y colores que aún están por conocerse en la tierra.

Tocaban música, instrumentos como los violines y las marimbas, las flautas zampones, los bongos, enormes pianos, los cuatros, guitarras, acordeones, timbales, maracas y las harpas, claro está. También tocaban algunos instrumentos que aún están por conocerse en la tierra. Ay, los conciertos que se formaban! Conciertos que aún no se oyen en la tierra. (Aunque si estás tranquilo en un rincón meditando, y te tapas bien los oídos, es posible que escuches unas estrofas ya que en la tierra se pueden escuchar pero en el silencio absoluto.)

Eso sí, jugaban a los deportes… como el alpinísmo, acrobacia y los dardos (especialmente el grupo de asistentes de cupido) No faltaba un buen partido de futból, baloncesto o voliból… pero también algunos deportes que aún están por conocerse en la tierra.

Un amanecer el niño se entretenía corriendo por el cielo de un lado para otro. Fue hasta el rincón más lejano del cielo con un enorme pincél mágico, pintando el rojimorado del horizonte. Mientras el gran Ángel Sol lo contemplaba con una media sonrisa. Casi habia terminado el brochazo de color rosa que anhelaba cuando de pronto se le cayó mientras pintaba y una gaviota inesperadamente lo tropezó en el camino… “Mil disculpas” dijo la gaviota, y siguió volando…¡Iba a millón!

Photo by MaryRN

En ese momento el niño se detuvo para recoger su pincel, que se había quedado colgando en una nube ya morada. Se quedó rebuscando en la nube un largo rato cuando se cruzó de nuevo con la gaviota, pasó por ahi de vuelta y se disculpó nuevamente por haberlo tropezado, “está bien” le dijo el niño “ya había terminado.” Al fin, encontró el niño el pincel y en ese momento vio que la gaviota ya estaba lejos regresando a la tierra y se le quedó mirándo fijamente. Cuando ya no pudo ver más a la gaviota se fijó en la tierra por un largo rato.

Bastante tiempo que habia anochecido cuando el niño se fue caminando, corriendo y luego voló para regresar a la estrellita.

–“Niño” le dijo un enorme angel que medía casí cinco pisos, de largos cabellos. “¿Dónde estabas que no se ta ha visto desde la semana pasada?”

–“¡Angel de la Guardia!,” dijo el niño.

–“Ya sabes que a veces me distraigo con lo mismo de siempre…Hoy me fijé de nuevo en la tierra. Y he decidido que esta vez si que quiero irme a vivir allá.

–¿Por qué quieres ir a vivir a la tierra?

–Quiero ir porque es preciosa.¡Realmente lo es! He estado observando y allí tienen de todo, amables plantas y dulces flores, agua divina por todos lados, y animales furiosos y juguetones, cascadas en las montañas, los vientos furiosos y algunos vientos juguetones donde podría volar mi cometa. Vi seres divinos que ayudan apoyar la tierra, algunos en el agua, delfines, ballenas como también en las selvas como las zebras, unos tigres y elefantes, y aves de todos los tamaños que vuelan como nosotros, son los únicos que vuelan…mas están en peligro y los quiero ir a rescatar. Existen niños, muchísimos de ellos…y vi muchos de ellos jugar como nosotros, pero a algunos vi llorar y quiero ir a enseñarles muchos de nuestros juegos que todavía no conocen o han olvidado para que se pongan contentos.

–¿Algo más?

–Pues, tuve que regresar…

–Está bien. Me parece muy bien. Veo que cada vez vienes con más detalles. Tus poderes de observación siguen desarollándose. Pero a mi me parece que aún no estás listo para ir a la tierra. Te buscaban tus amiguitos.

–De acuerdo.

Y se fue el niño a jugar con los otros pequeños.

Y así pasaron los días, pasaron los meses, pasaron los años…

El niño estaba jugando futbol con sus amigos una noche. El juego estaba en lo mejor cuando el niño pateó la bola y se fue tan lejos que miró a su ángel de la guardia y le dijo…”voy a tener que ir a buscar la bola.” Ya regreso…

Pues la buscó en las estrellitas vecinas y no las encontró…después bajó y bajó y bajó hasta que se tropezó con unas nubes cerca de la Tierra. Por fin, rebuscando en las nubes se agachó y encontró la bola. Pero al pararse, se fijó en la Tierra. Se quedó mirando, mirando, mirando por un largo rato…

Y siguió mirando hasta que… se dio cuenta de la hora y se regresó a la estrellita.

Al regresar…

–Angel de la Guardia, dijo el niño.

–Si..

–Hoy me fijé de nuevo en la tierra. Y he decidido que me quiero ir a vivir allá.

–¿Por qué quieres ir a vivir a la tierra?

–Quiero ir porque es preciosa. De veras que si. Me quedé mirando y allí tienen de todo, plantas, flores, mares, cascadas, el viento, vi seres que se llaman monitos, pececitos, un perro, un gato, unos pajaritos que vuelan como nosotros, son los únicos que vuelan… Existen niños, algunos que conozco y muchos de ellos vi jugar como nosotros y quiero ir a enseñarles algunos de nuestros juegos que todavía no conocen o en algunos casos han olvidado.

–¿Viste algo más?

–Si,sí… hoy sí. Vi un hombre y una mujer que viven en una casita con 2 gatitos. Vi que la mujer pidió esta noche tener un ser querido más en su hogar.

–Y, qué piensas…

–Ay, Angelito de la Guardia, te lo quiero decir pero no me atrevo…

–Anda pues, puedes confiar en mi..

–Te quiero decir que quiero irme a vivir con ellos… pero temo que me vas a decir que…

–Niño, ya estás listo para ir a vivir a la Tierra.

–¿De veras?…

–¡¡Qué maravilla…!!

–Pues, vámonos ya… que te está esperando tu nueva familia…

El niño y su ángel de la guardia se despidieron de los demás niños y ángeles…

–Después se acercó al grupo de los niños…

Se le acercó una niña que le dio un beso en la mejilla.

-“Yo también quiero ir a la Tierra” le dijo ella al niño, mirando a su Ángel de la Guardia.

–Podríamos irnos juntos..¿te parece? y le tomó de la mano al niño.

Su Angel le dijo…

–No niña … no estás lista. Pero ya se verán pronto por allá.

–¿Te acordarás de mi? le dijo la niña.

–No lo sé, dijo el niño mirando al Angel…

Se miraron y abrazaron. Adiós… Adiós…recuerda lo que el angel dijo que ya nos veríamos pronto por allá… ¡Ten un feliz viaje!

Y así fue. El niño caminó con su Ángel de la Guardia hacia la Tierra. Se pasaron todo el tiempo hablando sobre la tierra. El Ángel sabia mucho más que él y le contestaba cada una de sus preguntas con franqueza, amabilidad y compasión.

De vez en cuando el ángel interrumpia al niño con algún recordatorio como…

–Sabes que siempre estaré contigo. Quizás se te olvide… pero recuerda que siempre me tendrás a tu lado..

==Lo sé…pero gracias Angel de la Guardia…no quiero olvidarlo

o

–Nunca me apartaré de ti. Pero recuérdame. Que con acordarte de mi podré ayudarte aún más…

==Lo sé…pero gracias Angel de la Guardia…no quiero olvidarlo

o

–Sabes niño… quiero que sepas que nunca caminarás solo… puedes llamarme cuando me necesites y si quieres mas ángeles también.. aquí estaremos siempre caminaremos contigo..

==Lo sé…pero gracias Angel de la Guardia…no quiero olvidarlo sé lo importante que es saberlo y no olvidar…

–Si lo olvidas…te lo recordaremos de una manera u otra tu sabrás….

Varios meses después…

En la salita de paredes blancas de un hospital, bajo luces fluorecentes y brillantes, se oyó un llanto muy dulce y querido…una tierna criatura

Un bebé fue puesto inmediatamente en los brazos de una madre que lo esperaba. Su padre se acercó y le dió un beso. El bebé dejó de llorar inmediatamente.

Y así durmió el niño en el pecho de su madre en la nueva y querida tierra por toda la noche.

Y su ángel lo acompaña hasta el día de hoy y sonríe cada vez que le oye decir, algo que su madre le enseñó, ella lo aprendió en un sueño:

Ángel de Dios te recuerdo…

Ángel a mi izquierda,

Ángel a mi derecha,

Ángel a mi alrededor y en mi corazón,

Acompáñame y guíame ahora y siempre,

Esto o algo mucho mejor…

EL FIN

Esto es un cuento que se le puede decir al niño en el día de su cumpleaños. Si te gusta el cuento compártelo con tus amistades y déjanos saber si quisieras ver este cuento publicado. De hecho si eres miembro de una editorial estamos aceptando ofertas para publicar este cuento. Si tienes cualquier información que quieras compartir con nosotros puedes escribir a: TeachThemSpanish@gmail.com

—

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“The Cute Little Cockroach”

La Cucarachita

Original version by Cecilia Böhl de Faber, a.k.a. Fernán Caballero

Adapted by Prof. Constancia

illustrated by Jodie Aznar

She washed and combed her hair. She got dressed, put on a little colorete on her cheeks and sat down by la ventana. Since she was so delicate, emanating a certain serenidad about her and looked so beautiful, everyone who walked by the window of her house could not help but fall in love with her.

Un lobo passed by and said: “Exquisite one so fair…today you truly are a breath of fresh air.” To this she replied, you must have noticed my preciosos pendientes de plata.

–Cucarachita, ¿Te casas conmigo? Would you like to marry me? said el lobo.

–¿Why should I fall in love with you?—Cucarachita responded.

–The wolf began to howl… , Cucarachita only covered her ears with both patas.

–You can go your own way—she said to el lobo. You startle me, you surprise me and you scare me.

The same thing happened with un perro that barked.

Un gato that meowed,

Un cochino that grunted,

And un gallo that cockadoodled.

All of the suitors caused Cucarachita to run away: she accepted none.

Until one day Ratoncito Pérez, showed up, well dressed, with two other mouse friends, three little guitarritas, and without even asking, began to sing una serenata to Cucarachita.

The frogs, crickets and one centipede that was slowly walking…stopped and took a look at the performance. (Music: Happy Enchilada by Thomas Glenn Smith. You can listen at the TeachThemSpanish.com website)

Mi mami told me a story regarding that song, Happy Enchilada. That was the song that played…in the taxi…when mi mami and mi papi eloped…What a beautiful song.

He talked with her, she talked with him and soon they came to understand each other as he wooed her with his peaceful heart. In just a few weeks, Cucarachita, gave her hand in marriage to Ratoncito Pérez.

They lived enamorados, in love, feliz, and happily, a love like this had not been seen since forever. And, they lived with amor like this for many many years.

But one day Cucarachita, who was now a lot older went to mass by herself, because Ratoncito Perez was not well. He decided to stay home and rest.

Cucarachita began to cry and cry. Pajarito came over to see what was wrong.

–Why are you crying?

–She responded.

–Because Ratoncito Perez without his glasses fell in the pot.

–Well I Pajarito, will cry with you just a little…and Cucarachita cried a lot.

Then came Paloma, and said:

–¿Why are you crying Pajarito?

–Because Ratoncito Pérez, without his glasses, fell in the pot, and Cucarachita feels sad and is crying a lot.

–Well I, Paloma, will cry for a little while with you and a little while longer with Señora de Pérez.

–Then asked the well:

–¿Why Paloma, are you crying?

–Because Ratoncito Pérez, without his glasses, fell in the pot, and Cucarachita feels sad and is crying a lot. Pajarito cried a little and I, Paloma, cried a little with Pajarito and a lot more with Señora.

–Well, I Fuente will cry even louder and I will never stop the flow of my water.

–Then along came Doña Josefa to fill the pitcher.

–¿Why Fuente...do you let your water overflow so?

–And…what is with all of this crying?

–Well I, Doña Josefa, will try and find the words of a prophet:

Now that I am aware of what is going on, and it is my turn to sing this song, I will end this sadness for once and for all.

And so it was. The crying in the village soon began to diminish and in poor Cucarachita de Pérez’s face we soon began to see a glimpse of a smile. If you look at her carefully you may begin to see it too. Do you?

Snip, snap, snout, my tale is all told out.

=================================

I always liked this story…

I took the liberty of making a few changes. First of all, I like to make her into a cute little cockroach because it is a bit therapeutic to the children who are in terror of them. With a little laughter that terror has a chance of diminishing.

Many have changed the ending to the story. There are versions that exist where the mouse does not die at the end. But I think the lady prophet at the end may help in leading the way to closure to the tragedy. It is good to believe that things always do seem to work out at the end, no matter what.

I hope you like it.

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En el cielo hay lugares secretos que no conocemos…hay vistas, colores y música que aún no se conocen en la tierra. Y en uno de estos rincones del cielo muy lejos de la tierra había una estrellita, donde vivía un niño que no hacía nada más que una sola cosa… jugar.

Eso sí, jugaban a los deportes… como el alpinísmo, acrobacia y los dardos (especialmente el grupo de asistentes de cupido) No faltaba un buen partido de futból, baloncesto o voliból… pero también algunos deportes que aún están por conocerse en la tierra.

Bastante tiempo que habia anochecido cuando el niño se fue caminando, corriendo y luego voló para regresar a la estrellita.

–“Niño” le dijo un enorme angel que medía casí cinco pisos, de largos cabellos. “¿Dónde estabas que no se ta ha visto desde la semana pasada?”

–“¡Angel de la Guardia!,” dijo el niño.

–“Ya sabes que a veces me distraigo con lo mismo de siempre…Hoy me fijé de nuevo en la tierra. Y he decidido que esta vez si que quiero irme a vivir allá.

–¿Por qué quieres ir a vivir a la tierra?

–¿Algo más?

–Pues, tuve que regresar…

–Está bien. Me parece muy bien. Veo que cada vez vienes con más detalles. Tus poderes de observación siguen desarollándose. Pero a mi me parece que aún no estás listo para ir a la tierra. Te buscaban tus amiguitos.

–De acuerdo.

Y se fue el niño a jugar con los otros pequeños.

Y así pasaron los días, pasaron los meses, pasaron los años…

El niño estaba jugando futbol con sus amigos una noche. El juego estaba en lo mejor cuando el niño pateó la bola y se fue tan lejos que miró a su ángel de la guardia y le dijo…”voy a tener que ir a buscar la bola.” Ya regreso…

Y siguió mirando hasta que… se dio cuenta de la hora y se regresó a la estrellita.

Al regresar…

–Angel de la Guardia, dijo el niño.

–Si..

–Hoy me fijé de nuevo en la tierra. Y he decidido que me quiero ir a vivir allá.

–¿Por qué quieres ir a vivir a la tierra?

–¿Viste algo más?

–Si,sí… hoy sí. Vi un hombre y una mujer que viven en una casita con 2 gatitos. Vi que la mujer pidió esta noche tener un ser querido más en su hogar.

–Y, qué piensas…

–Ay, Angelito de la Guardia, te lo quiero decir pero no me atrevo…

–Anda pues, puedes confiar en mi..

–Te quiero decir que quiero irme a vivir con ellos… pero temo que me vas a decir que…

–Niño, ya estás listo para ir a vivir a la Tierra.

–¿De veras?…

–¡¡Qué maravilla…!!

–Pues, vámonos ya… que te está esperando tu nueva familia…

El niño y su ángel de la guardia se despidieron de los demás niños y ángeles…