Esperanza Rising

Esperanza hesitantly reached inside and took
out a square of coconut candy. Mama had never
permitted her to take candy from someone she
didn’t know before, especially from a poor person.
“Señora, why do you travel with the hens?”
asked Mama.
“I sell eggs to feed my family. My brother raises
hens and he gave these to me.”
“And you can support your large family that
way?” asked Hortensia.
Carmen smiled. “I am poor, but I am rich. I
have my children, I have a garden with roses, and
I have my faith and the memories of those who
have gone before me. What more is there?”
Hortensia and Mama smiled, nodding their
heads. And after a few thoughtful moments,
Mama was blotting away stray tears.
The three women continued talking as the train
passed fields of corn, orange orchards, and cows
grazing on rolling hills. They talked as the train
traveled through small towns, where peasant chil-
dren ran after the caboose, just for the sake of
running. Soon, Mama was confiding in Carmen,