Oxcart Day Written by Edwin Johns Illustrated by Christine Ross
Costa Rica Rosa lives in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Her parents are both teachers at a large school. Every year, Rosa and her family go to the village of San Antonio de Escazú for Día del Boyero (Dee ah del Boy AIR oh), which means Oxcart Driver s Day. It is Rosa s favorite festival. In this story set in Costa Rica, we learn how teamwork and the sharing of family traditions can make a day very special. teamwork working together
Rafael! Marie! called Mama. Come here quickly. I have some good news for you. Rafael and Marie looked up from their game of hopscotch. Their mother was standing on the steps, waving a letter. The children dropped their stones and ran toward their mother. What is it, Mama? they asked. Papa has written that we are to go to San Antonio de Escazú, to your grandparents house, for Día del Boyero this year.
Oh, Mama, cried Rafael. I ve always wanted to go to that festival. Will Grandpapa be entering the parade? His oxcart is so beautiful! When is it, Mama? asked Marie. When do we go? One question at a time, Mama said, laughing. Yes, Grandpapa is entering his cart. Papa wants you to help him get it ready. The parade is the second Sunday in March. We will be going to San Antonio de Escazú next Tuesday.
At dinner that night, Marie said, Tell us about the Día del Boyero, Mama. You have been in the parade before. Ah, said Mama, when I was a girl, we went every year. Your grandpapa was a great boyero when he was young. boyero oxcart driver In those days, oxcarts were used on farms. Coffee beans were picked and put in the carts. The oxen pulled the carts to market, said Mama. Your grandmama was a clever painter. She took many months to paint our cart for the parade. On parade day, we would dress in our fanciest clothes and ride in the parade with your grandpapa.
What happens at the parade, Mama? asked Rafael. The parade is a wonderful event, said Mama. Two oxen are hitched to each cart. On Día del Boyero, even the oxen are dressed up. They wear a fancy headdress and bells on their horns. I can t wait for Tuesday, said Marie. Will we meet Papa there? Yes, he ll be there, said Mama. Mama also said that at the parade, everyone waves and cheers and throws confetti. People listen to music and have special treats to eat. She explained that the parade passes the church, where a priest, dressed in his fanciest robe, blesses each oxcart as it passes. 10 11
On Tuesday, the family set out for San Antonio de Escazú. The children s grandparents and father were waiting for them when they arrived. My, how you have grown, Rafael and Marie, said Grandmama. Can we go and see the oxcart? asked Rafael. Dinner first, said Papa. Then we will go to the barn. After dinner, the children raced to the barn. The oxcart was standing in the middle. The old oxen, Pepe and Lu, looked at the children from their stalls. Marie stroked Pepe on his nose. He s getting older like me, said Grandpapa, but he ll enjoy going to the parade again. 12 13
The next day, the children helped their grandparents get everything ready for the parade. This old cart is looking a bit dull, said Grandmama. We need to brighten it up. Grandmama showed Marie how to fill in the patterns on the cart with bright, new paint. Marie had to follow the design carefully and not let the brush wobble over the lines. Rafael polished the oxen bells until they shone. Grandpapa brushed the oxen and then washed their horns and hooves. By Friday, everything was finished. Both the oxen and the oxcart looked bright and beautiful. 14 15
On Saturday, Grandpapa said, Today, we will harness the oxen to the cart and take a little ride. Pepe and Lu have not pulled a cart for some time, so it will be good for them. Grandpapa put the oxen in front of the cart. They stood patiently while he put on their decorated yoke. Everyone in, called Grandpapa. Marie and Rafael climbed into the cart. Grandpapa took up the reins, and the oxen lumbered off down the drive. 16 yoke a wooden frame that fits around the necks of a pair of oxen glossary definition 17
They went out the gate and down the road. Later, as they started back, Grandpapa said, Pepe doesn t look too good to me. He seems to be limping. When they got back to the farm, Grandpapa picked up Pepe s left, front hoof and looked at it. He felt up Pepe s leg. His leg is swollen and hot. He s become quite lame, said Grandpapa. This doesn t look good for tomorrow. Marie started to cry. We won t be able to go to the parade, she sobbed. glossary definition lame disabled in such a way that walking is very painful 18 19
Grandmama took Marie s hand. Come with me, she said. We ll get some warm water and special ointment. We ll soak Pepe s leg, and then I ll put some ointment on it. For hours, they soaked Pepe s leg in a bucket of warm water. Then Grandmama put some ointment on his leg and bandaged it up. We ll just have to wait until the morning to see how he is, she said. Early the next morning, the children raced to the barn. Grandpapa had Pepe out of his stall. He was putting a bright red bandage on Pepe s leg. Is he all right? asked Rafael. He seems to be walking okay, said Grandpapa, but I ll bandage his leg just to be sure. Go and get ready for the parade. 20 21
The brightly colored oxcarts rumbled down the street. The bells on the oxen s horns rang out as the oxen walked slowly along in the parade. Crowds of people lined the way to the church. They threw confetti at the carts. The band played traditional songs on their cimarronas (sim ah ROHN ahs), and everyone sang and danced. Rafael and Marie felt proud to be riding in Grandpapa s oxcart. When the parade was over, Grandmama bought them both a little toy oxcart to take home. Can we do it again next year? asked the children. It s special to be part of the Día del Boyero. 22 cimarrona a stringed instrument 23
Discussion Starters 1 Enjoying family time and celebrations is an important part of life. What special days or events do you celebrate with your family? 2 Painting oxcarts is an art in Costa Rica. Every country has its own art forms. What are some kinds of art that are important in your country? It took some real teamwork to make the Día del Boyero a success for everyone. What other values did the family show? 24