𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

"Long time ago, we were the first familia to ever have gifts." A little girl looks at her father with such interest, paying attention to every word he is saying. "Your grandparents and our ancestors lead us to a place, a place where we are safe and protected, a place full of wonders."

"An Encanto, right Papa?" Little Clara beamed at her Papa Héctor, looking at him with her golden brown eyes that were filled with fascination and curiosity.

"That's right, mi angelita." Her father warmly smiled at her as he tickled her causing the room to be filled with laughter from the five year old girl.

"And then what happened? How did we meet the Madrigals? How did Abuelo Carlos and Abuela Camila meet Abuela Alma?" The child, although not realizing, bombarded his father with questions. She could not help it. She has to know.

Her father picked her up and they both looked outside where the streets were lit up with lamps and sparklers from laughing children in the village as they twinkled in the nearing dusk.

The father and daughter gazed outside with smiles on their faces, the latter having the most biggest smile of all.

"Well," Héctor began, "Your Abuelo and Abuela left the old Encanto." He paused for a moment to look at his daughter, who paid attention to her father once more, "And as they seek for a new place with their people and the-"

"The Magical Candle that gives us the miracle, the gifts!" The little girl excitedly cut her father off as her father chuckled.

"Sí sí, calm down mija." Clara sheepishly grinned "The Magical Candle is a flame that could never go out, it gave us hope as it did to other people." He gestured to the village, looking at the people coming to inside their house, their home. "Your Abuelo and Abuela were on their journey along with their people, but then they came across a group of people too, carrying their things with their families and friends."

"Who were they?" Clara frowned, her imagination running wild as she imagined the disbelief in her grandparents' eyes.

"They were the people who fled their houses to find a new home just like Mi Papa and Mama. They were being led by Abuela Alma and Abuela Pedro, you know that story right?" Héctor looked at her daughter as she frowned more but nodded sadly, remembering the story of the sacrifice of Alma's late husband.

"Your Abuelo Carlos and Abuela Camila found Abuela Alma with her three babies, holding them close as she cried and grieved for her husband." Héctor looked down sadly but smiled.

"And at that moment, your Abuelo and Abuela came to the crying woman and gently placed the candle on her hand as they softly guided her hand to the ground and our Casita, our home, our Encanto, came to life once again. It blessed, not only us anymore, but the Madrigals a miracle: The Gifts and this place." He sat down on the bed of the nursery room, placing his daughter on his lap, trying his best to make the story more entertaining for the child. "Gifts to help us and the people around us."

Clara fiddled with her fingers as she looked hesitant, "Do you think I'll get a gift too Papa?"

He smiled at his daughter "Gift or no gift, you will always be Mi Angelita because gifts don't make us special," Héctor placed his right hand on his heart as he grabbed his daughter's right hand with his left and did the same thing to her. "It's what is here that makes us special, this here helps you love and care, not your gifts"

Héctor placed his hand on his daughter's cheek to make her look at him, "Always remember that you are always loved by your familia. And you are special, Mi Angelita, do not let any other person tell you otherwise, entiendes?"

Clara teared up a little as she hugged her father tightly. Her father patting her back and stroking her hair to calm her down.