Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

 


Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

Once upon a time, in a sunny little village in Cuba, there lived a cockroach named Martina Josefina Catalina Cucaracha. Martina was not just any cockroach; she was the most beautiful cockroach anyone had ever seen. Her golden-brown shell glistened in the sunlight, and her delicate antennae swayed like silk threads in the breeze. All the animals in the village admired her beauty, and she was loved by her large family.

One day, Martina’s grandmother, Abuela Cucaracha, said, “Martina, my dear, you are of age to marry. It is time to find yourself a suitable husband!”

Martina agreed, but she was wise and wanted to choose carefully. “Abuela,” she said, “I want a husband who is kind and good-hearted, not just handsome or wealthy. How will I know who is truly the best match for me?”

Abuela smiled and handed Martina a small cup of coffee. “Here’s a little trick,” she said. “When a suitor comes to ask for your hand, accidentally spill coffee on his shoes. How he reacts will tell you everything you need to know about his character.”

Martina thought this was an odd suggestion, but she trusted her grandmother’s wisdom. So, she got ready to meet her suitors.

The Suitors Arrive

The first to arrive was Don Gallo, the proud and flashy rooster. He strutted up to Martina’s door, his feathers shining in the sunlight. “Martina,” he crowed, “marry me, and you will have the most handsome husband in all of Cuba!”

Martina smiled politely and said, “Would you like some coffee, Don Gallo?” She poured him a cup, and then—oops!—she accidentally spilled some on his shiny feet.

Don Gallo squawked in rage. “What is this? Do you know how long it took me to polish my feathers? You clumsy cockroach!” He stormed off, still squawking angrily.

Martina shook her head. “A bad temper is not what I’m looking for,” she said.

The next day, Don Cerdo, the pig, came to visit. He was large and wealthy, and he oinked loudly, “Martina, marry me, and you will have all the riches you could ever want!”

Again, Martina offered coffee, and—oops!—she spilled it on his feet. Don Cerdo snorted in disgust. “Do you know how expensive these boots are? You’ve ruined them, you foolish insect!” He stomped away, grumbling.

Martina sighed. “Greed is not what I’m looking for either.”

A Kind and Humble Suitor

Martina was beginning to lose hope when a soft knock came at the door. It was Perez the Mouse, a humble, kind little creature with gentle eyes. “Martina,” he said shyly, “I am not rich or flashy, but I will love you with all my heart. Will you consider marrying me?”

Martina smiled and invited him in for coffee. As before, she “accidentally” spilled some on his tiny feet. Perez looked down, then up at Martina, and to her surprise, he chuckled.

“Don’t worry, Martina,” he said kindly. “It’s just coffee! I’ll clean it up. Besides, accidents happen to everyone.”

Martina’s heart melted. Here was someone who was patient, kind, and understanding. “Abuela was right,” she thought. “Kindness and a good heart are the most important qualities.”

Happily Ever After

Martina and Perez were married in a grand celebration, and all the animals of the village attended. They danced, sang, and laughed late into the night. Martina was grateful to her grandmother for teaching her to look beyond appearances and find a partner with true character.

From that day on, Martina and Perez lived happily ever after, proving that love built on kindness and understanding is the sweetest kind of love.

Moral of the Story:

This Cuban fairy tale teaches us that true beauty lies in kindness, patience, and a good heart. It reminds us to look beyond appearances or superficial qualities when choosing friends or partners. Martina’s clever test with the coffee shows the importance of understanding someone’s true character before making important decisions in life

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