Summary: In this Mexican folktale, a lazy boy learns a lesson
about flying (Verso 1991).
Type: Realistic - because it could have happened.
Characters: Pedro is a lazy kid who tells lies just because; padre is the priest
that is teaching Pedro a lesson. He is very compassionate, patient, and forgiving. Pedro finally learns to tell
the truth after his lies almost killed him.
Setting: There is no reference to the time or place of this tale except the title
page. It says this is a tale from Jalisco, Mexico. The illustrations give away the setting. The characters
wear sombreros, bright colored shawls, ride donkeys, speak Spanish, and have dark hair and tan skin.
Plot: Pedro continuously tells lies to people to see what he can get away
with until he is almost killed by two men. He goes back to the padre to start fresh with him and God.
Theme: Telling lies won't get you anywhere. The truth will set you free.