Campoy, F. Isabel and Alma Flor Ada. "Martina Martinez and Perez the Mouse." Tales Our Abuelitas Told: A Hispanic Folktale Collection. New York: Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006. Print.
One sunny morning Martina Martinez was spring cleaning and she came across a silver coin. Martina begins to think about how she spend the coin. She thinks about rock candy and chocolate, but decides that once she eats them she will have nothing. Martina went to the store and found a beautiful red ribbon. She tied the ribbon into her hair and set in front of her house. Several suitors stopped and asked to marry Martina. She ask of each, Senor Gato, Senor Perro and Senor Gallo how he would sing to their children. Martina is now happy with the "mew", "arff", or the "cock-a-doodle-do". Lastly Raton Perez walks by as he does each night. This night is different in that he actually speaks to Martina and ask her to go out with him. She does and after a while of dating Raton Perez and Martina marry. One day as the two are preparing for a party with friends, Martina realizes she has no salt for the soup and goes to the market. Before leaving she warns Raton Perez to stay away from the large pot. His curiosity gets the best of him and into the pot he falls. Martina returns finds him and her cries triggers many actions by the animals surrounding the house. Raton Perez is eventually saved.
Cultural Origins:
The author notes that this is one of the best known Hispanic folktales and it can be heard in various regions of Spain and Latin America. She also mentions that tale is particularly popular in Puerto Rico and sometimes takes on African overtones.
Audience:
This is a story that could be enjoyed by all ages. I think youth in grades 3 and higher, and adults would appreciate the tale most. This story could be told in many settings including schools and libraries. It could also be enjoyed at Dia de los Ninos and Cinco de Maya library programs.
Adaptations:
Author Alma Flor Ada provides several adaptations that could take place in this story. The main character varies as an ant, butterfly, cockroach or rat. Also different endings could occur such as Raton Perez dies once he falls into the pot. Ada also mentions the cat eating the mouse on the wedding night. Another adaptation is the King saving the mouse. In a Mexican version, the mouse is saved by an owl. I think there are a lot of adaptations that could occur and it is the responsibility of the teller to remain true to the culture in whichever adaptations are made.
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