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
wonder Mirabel she said oozing love and pride Whatever gift awaits will be just as special as you Mirabel held the candle in her tiny hands She could feel the warmth and possibility She was ready to receive her gift and make her family proud 6
7 Chapter one Years later fifteen-year old Mirabel woke up early eager to tackle the special day There was so much that needed to be done for her little primo's gift day As she hurried around her room to get herself dressed the house could barely keep up It slid her shoes and green-rimmed glasses in her direction but barely caught her nightgown as she quickly changed into her embroidered skirt and blouse Now she was ready The bedroom door opened Okay Mirabel said to herself She exhaled You got this The house quickly propelled her downstairs past a portrait of Abuelo Pedro whom she only
