Gabriel, an indigent young boy who lives in Mexico, is fascinated by and attracted to a new school, recently built close to his village. Soon, the new teacher arrives, a friendly man who offers bread and milk to the students twice a day. Though Gabriel is tempted by the promises of learning and food, he cannot muster the courage to enter the school as his mother believes that the "Santo," or Saint, will not approve. Gabriel decides that he needs to discover if the Santo approves or disapproves of school and goes to the abandoned church where the Santo statue resides, hoping for a sign. The Santo is motionless under Gabriel's gaze, so the young boy sadly leaves the church, still confused about school. Shortly thereafter, the seasonal rains fall, filling the fields with green grass and flowers. On an impulse, Gabriel gathers cactus flowers and places them at the Santo's feet. Does the Santo smile at Gabriel, or does he imagine this? Immediately, Gabriel's confusion regarding school attendance vanishes, and the next morning he happily joins the students, enjoying his studies and the food.
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