The Harp

So it’s true he thought it’s really true…

This is my story. My name is Andrew, and I am a teenager from Texas.  Last year on March 23, 1989, I boarded a train just like a hobo . I had gotten only to Mexico City [my destination was Guatemala], but I had run out of money. Then I started working for Antonio in the fields growing grapes.  I was trying to earn some money, but it was hard to get. That’s when I met her.  

I knew Mariflor was special from the moment I saw her.   It wasn’t only because she was gorgeous. And when I say gorgeous, I mean gorgeous. I mean I was tongue tied.  Ok, well anyways, she was special because she was just happy all the time and was nice.  Never once did she raise her voice. She said she was 15 years old [like me] and was very hard working. So Antonio gave her an interview, hired her, and put her in my group. Over time, we became friends.   Then one day I told her.  It was Monday, and we were working harder than ever.  I was so bored.  Because of that I told her.

“So, do you know about the harp?’’ I asked.

“What harp?” she said. 

“You know, the golden one that with one touch can heal anything, solve any problems? I’ve been looking for it for years,” I said.

 “What for?”  She asked.

“Because my grandma is sick with cancer and I don’t have any parents,” I replied.

“Oh I’m sorry”, she said with sympathy.

“Yeah, so you see why I have to find it,” I said.

She thought for a moment. “I’m going to let you in on a secret. Only if you promise never to tell anyone.”

“Ok, I promise.” I said.

“I know where it is, actually it’s mine.  It was given to me by a wizard.  You see, I’m the last princess here, in Mexico.  It’s true what you say about the harp.  But it won’t do you any good because I have to find my true love before it works.  The wizard said I would find true love at the age of 15, but so far I have met no one and I think true love will never come for me,” she said sadly.

“You know, maybe I am your love. How do you know if someone really is your true love?” I asked.

“Well, you have to go to the harp and ask if you are my true love and if it says yes, then the harp works and we are engaged,” she said.

“Ok, I want to go to the harp and ask it,” I said. 

“Ok, but I’ll warn you.  If you aren’t my true love, you’ll be blind forever,” she said.

“I’m willing to take the risk,” I said.

“Ok, then come with me.”  

She led me outside a door I had never seen in the building, so I was surprised it looked beautiful. It was like a paradise, and at the edge of it next to a rock, stood the harp.  It was the most fragile thing I had ever looked at .

“Hey, so go ahead. I have to stay back because it won’t do anything if I’m there,” she said.

As she left the room, I stood there thinking ‘what if I go blind?’ It can’t happen, I thought, I could never care for grandma, she would have to take care of me instead.

I worked up the courage and asked. “Umm… hi harp what’s up?  Ok, so am I Mariflor’s love?”

Nothing happened.  Then suddenly it got dark.  I heard a low raspy voice, and it kept on whispering “yes.” After that I blacked out, and the next thing I knew Mariflor was standing over me.

“You survived,” she said.

 “Of course I did.”