Tales for a rainy night

Preface: We are told that children gaze about them with wonder and see mystery and magic in the mundane. And we envy this in them. As I grow older, however, I find more to marvel about than I did in my youth. So, from writing news copy and feature articles, realistic fiction, travel essays and autobiographical narratives, I am now spinning tales. For the world of tales is the land of legend and dream, even if the characters move and speak in the here and now. And sometimes, it seems to me that only sorcery and enhancement can capture the strangeness can capture the strangeness of "real life."...These tales were not written for children. But if children should read them and enjoy them, this will bring me joy... If I had the skills, I would resort to more powerful magic. I would play the guitar, or the flute, or the harp. I would weave iridescent threads into glowing tapestries, sketch dream figures on silk. Or I would loose my hair and dance to the wild music of the wind and the sea. However, I only have these words. - Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, October 1992