Colombia

“Someone is messing with these roses” is a short story by Gabriel García Márquez, published in 1952 in Crónica and compiled in Ojos de perro azul (1974). It tells the story of a child’s spirit who tries every Sunday to pick roses to take to his grave. The flowers are grown by a devout woman who lives in the old house where he once lived. Through his silent observations, the intimate bond that unites them is revealed in a story filled with melancholy and a surreal atmosphere.

“Tuesday Siesta” (La siesta del martes) by Gabriel García Márquez tells the story of a mother and her daughter who travel to a small town on a hot August day. Their visit has a particular purpose that arouses the curiosity of the local inhabitants. As the plot unfolds, the reasons behind their journey and the history of their family are revealed. The story explores themes such as dignity, social judgment, and the complexities of family relationships, all within the context of a traditional Latin American society.