The book "The Blue Morphos" is a captivating work that immerses us in the mysteries of the Andes. Before we start with the story, I invite you to interact with this fantastic interactive edition we have prepared below.
The Book · The Blue Morphos
front cover ⇄ back cover
— front cover —
Chapter 1
The River
It was slithering and the scales grazed the underbrush of the trees near the river. She had managed to see its black tail be swallowed up under an old tree stump. Burrowing its scaly body would allow it to hide and keep safe from humans.
Must have been hunting for frogs or salamanders; a great delicacy, especially in this rainy season. The bamboo forest in that region was prominent, and it was known for the snakes to use them as hiding venues. She looked over and motioned to Fráncisco to follow her away from there.
Venturing into that part of the forest was not a good idea. Not only because of the possible snakes, but because there were cliffs at the end of the stretch. They both knew it would take them to a dangerous area near the river where there were known to be mudslides.
Chapter 2
The Painted Walking Sticks
Any time they left the house to make deliveries or play, or walk to school or explore, they had been taught to take their walking sticks. Their grandfather made them, and had decorated them from fallen branches and each was unique and created for the individual in mind.
Tata, as they affectionately called him, would remove the outer bark and polish the stick with sandpaper. Then, he would paint it with colors and later a clear varnish in order to keep them protected from the elements. Bright reds, yellows, blues and whites were used to paint stripes along the sticks. Carpentry and painting were some of his hobbies after retiring.
Chapter 3
Monday Morning
Morning started at 4:30 a.m. at the farm. The father woke up first to milk the cows and the goats. Later the grandparents and the mom started their chores. The grandparents tended to the garden by harvesting, checking for insects, and making sure the drainage by the greenhouse was properly working.
They even checked the rain barrels and scooped off the top layer of the water to make sure the mosquito larvae were not living there. The rainy season gave way for mosquitos to plant their eggs everywhere. Then the kids woke up, the youngest checked on the chickens. He would bring out a basket and gather the eggs, feed them, change the water and clean the coop.
Chapter 4
Crossing The Bridge
Marcos was fifteen years old, tall and very mature for his age. He was one of the best athletes in school, and he was always a top contender when running competitions took place.
They started to divide into the three search parties, other high schoolers had joined the search and a neighbor had alerted the school. The store clerk had also joined the search, along with some towns people. Betty and the grandparents stayed home, cleaned the kitchen and started preparing food for the afternoon.
