Who can decipher the infinite universe in a child's mind? The dreams in there are as real as life itself. They reveal themselves charming, contagious, hopeful ... and make them visit any lost island or fly as high as Peter Pan without lifting their feet from the ground. Yes, they can and there is no adversity that mutilates their imagination.
Alex, Isaac and Abraham are three of those many boys who paint the days with colors. They star in the most varied adventures embodying their favorite heroes. Now they cannot play ball, cards or hide and seek; the pandemic of the new coronavirus imposes keeping distance, but at the same time it fertilizes creativity.
The brick wall that separates their houses was always the main physical obstacle between them. To interact they had to almost go around the block; and they did not think that the wall would ever become an ally of their exploits. Alex González Miranda tells me that one afternoon he heard Isaac and Abraham from the other side, he climbed on a stool, and there it all began.
The surprised Peña Rodríguez brothers only managed to ask him: "And what are you doing there?" They laughed ... That meeting was the first of many, and the parents accepted because there is an adequate distance and they always wear their masks. They have been seen in the middle of a field of battles, simulating a strong shooting or imitating their favorite characters.
“We played with some rag dolls; they with theirs and I with mine. We get distracted watching the birds and talking about the movies. We also like to imitate the Young Titans," Alex says excitedly.
And who are those?, I inquire. "Well ... they are called Robin, Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy ... Each one has superpowers. Cyborg, for example, pulls cannon out of his hand; but I am Robin," he stresses. "Sometimes we even paint our cars to look like theirs."
From the other side, Isaac, the youngest of the trio interrupts him. "I am Superman". He did not want to speak much more, but the little eyes betrayed his happiness. Abraham came to the rescue: "We traveled through time and discovered treasures. We recently became cooks and did tremendous stew.”
Alex returns to the charge: “Here in the patio there are many bushes. I remove the seeds from the avocados that are not used to throw them as if they were bombs and the shooting takes place: pa pa pa…. We enjoy too much.”
The Peña Rodríguez brothers study violin at the Professional School of Art. “Sometimes they start to rehearse and I watch them from here; I even tell them to make the same song to make it sound better. Abraham also plays the piano; Of course, I don't see him because he can't get it out, but I know it's him," Alex explains and smiles.
Why do you have to find these fun alternatives now? He Responds quickly: "We cannot talk closely or touch the same objects to avoid getting sick from the COVID-19. We find a way to entertain ourselves by being apart."
All three are restless with unlimited imagination. And although they are engrossed in front of the television screen, they prefer to exchange with their friends; that's clear. They attend Primary and they assure me that not everything is recess; they have their study and tele-classes hours.
"When the pandemic ends, we can go to school and hug our classmates. If possible I will kiss Saled, a girl in my classroom that I love very much," Alex says mischievously. Abraham notes: "For now it is better to stay home."
So are infants; little wise men with pure souls, from whom it is well worth learning. They light lights and chimeras. Today, June 1, International Children's Day, Cuba celebrates it with the certainty that nothing is more important than their smiles. Under this sky, "those who know how to love" find a wonderful island to put wings to dreams.
