A Cuban classic: Los Zapaticos de Rosa

The name Pilar was on the short list when we were expecting our first and only daughter. My child was named Maria, but the inspiration for Pilar was the classic poem Los Zapaticos de Rosa by Cuban poet Jose Martí.

It was read to me by my family and my teachers when I was growing up in Miami. One of my aunts will, with some regularity, break out into perfect oration of the poem, which she learned more than 50 years ago in Cuba. 

If you don't know what it is about, the short version: A wealthy and well-dressed girl, Pilar, meets a sickly and poor girl on the beach. Pilar gives the girl her beautiful pink zapaticos, and more. It was published in 1889.

It is rhythmic and colorful:

Hay sol bueno y mar de espumas,
Y arena fina, y Pilar
Quiere salir a estrenar
Su sombrerito de pluma.

      "¡Vaya la niña divina!"
 Dice el padre, y le da un beso,
 "Vaya mi pájaro preso
A buscarme arena fina!".

      "Yo voy con mi niña hermosa",
Le dijo la madre buena:
"¡No te manches en la arena
Los zapaticos de rosa!"

My almost-Pilar is 5 and she loves the stage, insisting regularly that we sit and watch her dance or sing. This is why I am thinking that it is time she memorize Los Zapaticos de Rosa. 

We have the copy above, the one illustrated by Lulu Delacre. It was a gift from my mom, who likes to read the book to Maria.  The pictures are watercolor loveliness and the message is kind and timeless: Share your riches.