39 pages • 1 hour read
In the night, Petra is awakened by the sound of gunfire. A man nearby tells her that the rebels are burning bridges and mines before the Federales arrive. An old man plays the fiddle for the group, a song that Abuelita has always loved. When Petra turns to comment on the song to Abuelita, the woman has her face buried in her hands. Petra comforts her grandmother and tells her that they have time to figure out their next move before the Federales arrive. The old man continues playing while a couple waltzes to his music.
Petra and her family spend the next morning waiting to hear news. Petra goes in search of food again, this time coming to a schoolhouse. She finds a portrait of Victoriano Huerta, the current president of Mexico and commander of the Federal Army. Petra promises herself that she will go to school one day, no matter what. She heads back to her family with some pine nuts she finds in a desk.
On the way back, Petra comes across a hummingbird. Deciding to follow it, it leads her all the way back to her family.
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