Yago's Heartbeat

Yago’s Heartbeat Conchita Miranda

Illustrated by Monica Carretero

Cuento de Luz (Tale of Light) publishes stories that enlighten our lives to bring out our inner child. Stories that make time stand still for us to live the present. Stories that take the imagination on a journey and help care for our planet, to respect differences, break down barriers and promote peace. Stories that do not leave you indifferent; stories that lift you up.

Cuento de Luz respects the environment and contributes to the protection of nature, incorporating sustainability principles through eco-friendly publishing.

Yago’s Heartbeat All rights reserved. Unless provided by law, no part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, publicly communicated or transformed in any way without the authorisation of the publisher. © 2010 CUENTO DE LUZ SL Calle Claveles 10 Urb. Monteclaro Pozuelo de Alarcon 28223 Madrid, Spain www.cuentodeluz.com Text © Conchita Miranda Illustrations © Monica Carretero English translation by Jon Brokenbrow ISBN: 978-84-938240-3-7 DL: M-47454-2010 Printed by Graficas AGA in Madrid, Spain, November 2010, print number 65691

LIGHT Series

To my father, who passed on his love of books to me.

To Ra món, my great companion in this adventure.

Thanks to Belén and a tea m of wonderful women for their enthusiasm and dedication in publishing this story.

The author donates all proceeds from this book to the “Sobre Ruedas” Foundation for children with cerebral palsy. www.f undacionsobreruedas.org

Yago’s Heartbeat Conchita Miranda

Illustrations by Monica Carretero

It all began a long, long time ago, in the deep blue sea where I was born, surrounded by coral and fish of every imaginable color.

I was born small and that’s the way I stayed, small: just a little snail.

Compared to my sisters, I was just a little speck. That’s why, whenever we were washed up onto the beach, I was always thrown back into the sea.

But one day, everything changed. It was a peaceful winter day, one of those days when the sun tries to break through the chill with its warming rays. I was covered in sand, waiting to be found and then thrown back into the sea as usual, when suddenly a rough, weathered hand picked me up, brushed of the sand, and I saw a face smiling down at me. You see, I wasn’t just small. I also had a strange, twisted hole in my shell, and that made me different.

Without giving it a second thought, my new friend threaded the chain he wore around his neck through the hole, and my new life began.

My new friend, my very first friend, turned out to be a great adventurer.

We travelled over the whole wide world together: I sailed across undiscovered seas, climbed mountains, met people from different lands, heard incredible stories and saw landscapes I could never have imagined.

I had become used to this busy life, full of adventures and surprises, but what I didn’t know is that there were others waiting for me that were very different from those I’d shared with my friend.

The years went by, not just for my old friend, but also for his chain, which hung around his thick, strong neck.

Like him, the years were gradually wearing it away.

One day, almost without realizing it, while we were walking along the beach I slid off, without making any noise, without being able to warn him.

The chain broke, and I returned to the sand.

I no longer felt his touch, his warmth.

Farewell to my adventures, to my friend‌.

I saw how he gradually faded into the distance with his weary walk, unaware that his old travelling companion, his little snail, had been left behind on that vast, empty beach.

Can you dance in a wheelchair ?

Can you sing without being able to speak ?

Can you tell stories just with your eyes ?

Y ou can, believe me when I say you can.

I saw it, I heard it, I felt it‌ A touching and tender story about the friendship between Yago, a small child in a wheelchair and a snail.

The acceptance of differences, communication without words and unconditional love are some of the issues which the story teaches.

An educational book of great interest for readers of all ages.

US$ 15.95 CA$ 17.95 GBÂŁ 12.95