cuentos de barro - DSpace Universidad Don Bosco

* * *
La nana se enrolló en el tapado y salió,
seguida de los dos cipotes. La Tina tenía
once años; era delgadita y pancitinga.
Nacho andaba en cinco: sopladito,
pujoso, careto y mocoso. La camisa
le campaneaba al haz del ombligo.
Caminaba jalado, atrompezándose y con
la boca en forma de O, por la trancazón
de la ñata. Bajaron al camino rial y
cogieron rumbo al pueblo. Iban, iban...,
en silencio, tranqueando137 por la calle
polvorosa que, como una culebra, tenía
piel a manchas de sombra y luz. Unos
toros pasaban por el llano, empujando
la soledad con sus mugidos de brama.
Al pasar por La Canoga, frente al rancho
de ño Tito, la puerta de luz les cayó
encima, asustándoles los ojos, y oyeron
la risa de la guitarra. Pasaron en fila.
Iban, iban... Como era Noche Buena,
había misa del gallo; y se había corrido
la bola de que el padre Peraza iba a
regalar juguetes a los chicos, después
del sermón.
La Tina y Nacho no habían tenido
juguetes nunca. Jugaban de muñecas,
con caragües vestidos de tuzas; de
tienda, en la piladera; de pulicía, con
olotes; y de pelotas, con bolas de
morro.
66
* * *
The mother wrapped herself in her
shawl and left followed by her two
children. Tina was eleven, she was thin
but big-bellied. Nacho was five: chubby
and whinny, with a dirty face covered
with snot, his mouth in the shape of
an O, because of his stuffy nose. His
shirt was hung on him like a bell and
stopped at his navel. He tripped as
his mom pulled him along. They went
down on the main road, and headed for
the town. They walked and walked... in
silence, taking long steps on the dusty
road that, like a snake, had stains with
shadows and lights. Oxen were walking
by the plain, pushing the solitude with
their bellowing rut.
When passing by La Canoga, in front
of Señor Tito’s shack, the door of light
ensnared them, scaring their eyes.
They heard the laughter of the guitar
from within. They walked by single
file. They continued to walk and walk...
Because it was Christmas Eve, the Mass
of the Rooster 138 was being celebrated.
Rumor had it that Father Peraza was
going to give away toys to the children
after mass.
Tina and Nacho had never had a toy
before. Their dolls were pods of carao 139
dressed in corn husks. By the washtub
they made believe they were shopping.
They played cops and robbers, with
corn cobs. And they played soccer with
gourds.
137. Dar trancos es dar pasos largos.
138. The midnight mass at Christmas is known as the “Rooster’s Mass.” On Christmas Eve, the ringing of
bells happens at midnight to call families to Church. Legends tell that the only time a rooster ever crowed
at midnight was when Jesus was born.
139. Fruits have the shape of cylindrical pods dangling from the trees.