
Bathed in Mediterranean light, the story opens in a sun‑kissed Spanish town where young Fernando watches his baby sister's christening in the grand cathedral of Granada. Through his eyes we feel the bustle of relatives, the reverence for tradition, and the colourful tapestry of names that echo devotion to the Virgin Mary. The narrative captures the warm‑hearted affection of a close‑knit family and the vivid details of aloes, hedgerows, and bustling streets that frame his childhood.
Soon Fernando’s curiosity leads him into a ditch of towering aloes, where an amused American traveler discovers the boy and brings him home, sparking a gentle comedy of cultural exchange. The book promises a series of lively episodes—schoolyard games, visits to a hacienda, festivals in Seville, and quiet moments of family storytelling—that paint a portrait of everyday life in early 20th‑century Spain. Listeners will enjoy the blend of humor, tradition, and the universal wonder of growing up in a world where the past and present dance together.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (112K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net Music file provided by Linda Cantoni.
Release date
2014-08-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

d. 1930
Known for lively children's books and story collections, this early 20th-century writer introduced young readers to places like Spain, Brazil, Alaska, Greece, Australia, and Hungary. She also wrote biographies of Catholic saints and gathered folklore, including Japanese and Native American tales.
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