Read Online The Winterlings by Cristina Sánchez-Andrade - Free Book Online

people and hidden by the shadows.
    With her crooked fingers up in the air, she looked just like a witch.

13
    â€˜Roll up folks, roll up and see the donkey who can read a newspaper! A literary superstar, here in person!’ A bit further down from the vestibule of the church, there was a tent where some carnies — the very same ones who years ago had brought the Bearded Lady — had installed a donkey that knew how to read. Every single person from Tierra de Chá filed past, each paying three pesos to see such a wonder.
    The Winterlings looked on, astonished. They recalled that one day, in England, they had seen a bear strolling through the streets with its keeper, with a chain leading to a ring through its nose. But this was a thousand times more fascinating, because this animal had wisdom. They had their money out, ready to pay — afterwards they would be able to say, when they went to visit in Coruña, that in Tierra de Chá they had donkeys that could read — when it occurred to them to ask the people coming out the back door of the tent if the claims about the donkey were true. By chance, the next one out of the tent was Little Ramón, Esperanza’s son.
    The same big head with the tiny ears like cherries. As they understood it, as soon as he could, he got out of the village. Now he was a sailor, and he spent great stretches of time away. He only came to Tierra de Chá for the religious festivals.
    Ramón stood there admiring Dolores; then he told her that he remembered her, and that, not long ago, he had seen her in Ribeira.
    â€˜In Ribeira?’ she asked, blushing. ‘I was only in Ribeira for a short while. I always lived with my sister in Coruña. We had a workshop on Real Street. No, we haven’t seen each other since we were kids; do you remember how we used to play together?’
    Ramón wore a moustache, and had big, uneasy eyes.
    â€˜You married Tomás, and you went to live in Ribeira,’ he said without answering the question. ‘I was at your wedding. I’ve never seen such a look of fear in my life.’
    The Winterlings cast each other sidelong glances.
    â€˜Jesus!’ said Saladina quickly. ‘What nonsense! You must be confusing her with someone else. My sister was only passing through Ribeira, like she just told you. We prefer Coruña …’
    â€˜It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Tomás,’ continued Ramón thoughtfully. ‘When I head back, I’ll have to go and visit him. What happened? Did you run off? Tomás has a reputation for being difficult.’
    They were interrupted by the voice of the carny: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, come in and take a look, last call for tickets to see and hear and the donkey who reads!’ They all stood silently.
    â€˜Well then,’ said Dolores. ‘I do believe we are going to see this donkey.’
    â€˜Yes,’ agreed Saladina. ‘We’re going to take a look at this wonder of nature.’
    â€˜But of course,’ said Ramón, without taking his eyes off Dolores for a moment. ‘You were asking me if it’s true that the donkey reads. He does. He reads splendidly. And what’s more, he’s also a doctor or a chemist.’
    Without thinking twice, the Winterlings paid their three pesos and entered the tent. They stood leaning against the wall for a while, taking stock of the conversation they had just had.
    The donkey was on the other side of the tent, very calm, with spectacles and a straw hat, from which a few plastic flowers dangled. In front of him was an open newspaper. They waited for a while, and nothing happened. But just as they were considering going out again and asking for their money back, they heard the donkey clearing his throat (he crowed, more like a rooster than a donkey) and reciting, in a clear voice, an advertisement from the newspaper:
    Pautauberge Solution. The most effective remedy against chest