The Book
Reina Reyes wanted Felisberto Hernandez to be free to devote himself to writing his wonderful stories and playing the piano. Writing earned him few readers and not a cent, and music was no money-maker either. Felisberto traveled deep into Uruguay and along the Argentina coast giving concerts, and he always had to leave his hotel by the window.
Reina was a teacher, she worked hard to make a living. In all the years he lived with her, Felisberto never heard her speak of money.
The first of every month, Reina gave him a book by one of the novelists or poets he liked. The book contained the freedom that delivered him from the hell of office work or the torment of other employment that steals hours and squanders life.
Every few pages, he would find a bill, ironed flat.
Sist sett
