An Excerpt From The Cuban Book 'Habia Una Vez'

In 2004, you’d often see a five-year-old perched on her father’s lap as they rested on a leather couch while they read from a children’s story book called, “La Edad De Oro.” The father would read to her the pages in fluent Spanish as she struggled to read along, often giving up to simply listen to her father’s soothing voice as she became entranced with the plot. Dark brown eyes glimmering with excitement as she wondered what the mother would say to the daughter that gave away her zapaticos de rosa. That five-year-old that would always beg her father to read a passage from “La Edad De Oro” was me thirteen years ago. If I were only allowed to read five pieces of literature to children, I would choose five passages from the Cuban book “Habia una Vez” that have even taught me important life lessons to keep close to my heart.
The Chicken asks a Turkey and a Duck numerous amount of times if they would like to help her cook the wheat grain to which they always refuse to help. However, at the end of the story the Chicken has cooked the wheat grain into a loaf of bread after doing all the hard work herself. She then proceeds to ask who would like to accompany her to feast on the loaf of bread. The Turkey and the Duck were quick to offer themselves to eat the bread only to be rejected by the Chicken who states that they never helped her when she asked before. Consequently, the Chicken then proceeds to eat the loaf of bread with her chicklets, leaving the Turkey and Duck without a