Abuela folded an arm around Mirabel's shoulder and the candle glowed brighter As Abuela began the story of the miracle Mirabel could see it unfold in each flick of the flame In their humble home young Abuela Alma and her husband Pedro gazed down in adoration at their three newborn babies On a table nearby the same candle glimmered gently Suddenly a harsh blaze exploded outside their home The young couple's adoring smiles disappeared Long ago when my three babies had just been born your abuelo Pedro and I were forced to flee our home Pedro holding the candle led a group of frightened people as they struggled across a beautiful river And though many joined us hoping to find a new home we could not escape the dangers and your abuelo was lost Abuela's eyes shimmered in the candlelight as she recalled the night her young family fled the violence that had swept through their town As Mirabel listened to her grandma's story 2
she snuggled close worried for the families She could see them as they crossed a river together Suddenly Pedro glanced back His hopeful gaze turned troubled Danger had followed them and he had no choice but to face it and protect his family He looked lovingly into his wife's eyes handed her the candle and left to confront the threat The candle's flame dwindled and darkness drew closer Young Abuela knew that something terrible had happened Pedro was not coming back Filled with grief she knelt by the river and prayed with the candle in front of her When all seemed lost the candle suddenly flickered alive bright and strong And then butterflies full of light swirled and banished the darkness The earth rumbled and mountains rose forming a protective valley around the families The candle became a magical flame that could never go out and it blessed us with a refuge in which to live A place of wonder an Encanto Abuela said The miracle grew and our house our Casita itself came alive to shelter us 3
4 Young Abuela's prayers had been answered The candle grew brighter and from the earth a magnificent house formed She found herself and her triplets in the courtyard of a spectacular casa that was as alive as they were It welcomed them by flapping its window shutters The tiny babies squealed in amazement When my children came of age the miracle blessed each with a magic gift to help us Abuela Alma continued And when their children came of age They got magic too Mirabel interrupted smiling excitedly Mirabel saw the three babies now five years old each in front of their own door The magic candle guided them to receive their special gifts As they touched the doorknobs a bright light radiated filling each of them with a magical gift The house quickly created bedrooms that matched their special gifts That's right And together their magical gifts have made our community a paradise With the magic the wilderness that surrounded
the house transformed into a land of sunshine Tall wax palm trees stretched toward the blue sky and lush fruit trees and colorful flowers bloomed all year long And it all started with Abuelo Pedro's sacrifice to protect the family Mirabel stared in awe at the candle How could something so small be so powerful Her abuela snuggled her bursting with pride Tonight this candle will give you your gift mivida mivida Strengthen our community strengthen our home Make your family proud Make my family proud Mirabel repeated with a steady voice Fireworks exploded outside and the house signaled that it was time to begin Yes yes Casita we're going Abuela chuckled The house slid Mirabel her shoes It was as excited as she was for this big moment As Abuela and Mirabel paused in front of the door they held hands What do you think my gift will be Mirabel asked Abuela Abuela bent down to Mirabel You are a 5
