WRITTEN BY SEBASTIAN GALLARDO
ILLUSTRATED BY DAN M c GEEHAN
“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.”
-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
ILLUSTRATED BY DAN M c GEEHAN
WRITTEN BY SEBASTIAN GALLARDO
On the morning of his birthday, Jose woke up feeling excitement humming through his body. He was going to meet Abuela today. Abuela was taking him to meet the colossal giant that stood on her very own island.
Jose ran down the stairs and followed the smell of mangú to the kitchen table. “Happy Birthday, Jose,” Mamá exclaimed. “Felíz Cumpleaños, hijo!” said Papá. Jose sprinted over to the pile of gifts.
He had begged Mamá and Papá for a MetroCard. He was old enough to ride the Subway alone and he wanted to go on his own to meet Abuela. It was going to be his big adventure.
“I wonder what this is.” He opened the box. A pair of tennis shoes. They were very nice, but they were not a MetroCard. “Umm ... thanks” Jose opened another box. And another. And another. Pretty soon he was surrounded by his gifts. He had so many wonderful things. But no MetroCard.
Jose did not want to seem ungrateful. He was thankful for all his nice presents. But the one he really wanted was not there. Then he spotted a gift he’d missed. It was a small package. Just the right size for a MetroCard.
Jose unwrapped the gift. It was a nice wallet. He tried to hide his disappointment.
“Thank you, Mamá and Papá,” he said. “It is a very nice wallet.”
Mamá laughed. “But, hijo, you need something to put in that wallet!”
And there in Mamá’s hand was his golden ticket. It was the card that would give him his freedom. He would travel on the Subway alone when he went to meet Abuela for their grand adventure.
“Thank you so much, Mamá!” “It is a big responsibility,” Papá said. “We know you will make us proud.”
Jose stood on the platform waiting for the Number Four train. He was amazed by how many people there were. So many people. They all blended into each other, creating one big blur before his eyes.
The train pulled up to the platform, the doors whooshed open, and a crowd of people got off, swishing by Jose— a river of people, rushing around him like water around a boulder.
The train was crowded as well. Jose finally found an empty seat and sat down. “Cool sneakers,” a man said, pointing at Jose’s new birthday shoes. “Thanks. I’m Jose. What’s your name?” “My name is Michael. Nice to meet you, Jose,” he said. “Where are you from?”
Michael closed his laptop and smiled at Jose. “I live in the Bronx, but when I was little, I lived in Kingston, Jamaica.” “I’ve heard of Jamaica! My parents are from Peru, but I was born here.” Jose pointed to the man’s laptop. “Are you on your way to work?” “I brought my laptop to get some work done on the train. I design video games. But today is my day off. I am meeting some friends who are visiting from Florida.”
“What brings you on the Number Four train?” Michael asked. “I’m meeting my Abuela,” Jose said. “It is my birthday, and my Abuela and I are visiting the giant.”
“Happy Birthday!” Michael said. He stood as the train pulled up to a stop.
A man headed for Michael’s seat. Jose looked at the large black bag the man
was carrying. It had a Puerto Rican flag patch on it.
“What are you carrying in there?” Jose asked. “This is my medical bag. I’m a doctor. Today I am carrying something special. I have
a gift for my daughter. Today is her birthday.” The doctor held out his smartphone so Jose could see a picture of his daughter.
“That’s so cool!” Jose said. “It is my birthday today, too.”
He pointed at the bag with the Puerto Rican flag. “Are you from Puerto Rico?” “Yes. My family and I used to live there, but we moved to New York City a few years ago.”
At the last stop, the people flowed out of the train and Jose was swept along with them. He found a place to get out of the current, so he could stop and look for his Abuela. The crowd was so thick, he didn’t know how he’d find her.
A woman wearing a police uniform approached Jose.
“Are you lost?” she asked. “I’m looking for my grandmother.” “Where are you meeting her?” “She’s waiting for me here. We’re going to see the giant.” The policewoman pointed across the platform. “Would that be her?”
“Abuela!” “Hola, mi nieto. How was your trip?
“It was amazing! I met interesting people. At first, I was a little scared. So many people. But when I talked to them, they turned out to be nice.”
“Oh, Jose, I know exactly what you mean,” Abuela said. “It happened my first time riding the subway alone too. Everyone is different here and has their own individual story. Once you get to know someone, you begin to see all the wonderful colors and shapes that they have to offer. That’s the beauty of living in New York.”
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Sebastian Gallardo was born in the Big Apple to Dominican and Peruvian parents who met at a dance club. He now lives in suburbia, where he is a high school junior, who enjoys writing stories, music and working out. About the Author
ISBN 9798218037208
Back Cover 8.5" x 8.5" (215.90mm x 215.90mm)
037208 9 798218
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