First English language edition published in 2025 by Tapioca Stories. English language edition © 2025 Tapioca Stories
Text © 2025 Eugenio Fernández Vázquez
Illustrations © 2025 Mariana Villanueva Segovia
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2024951759
ISBN: 979-8-9887499-4-3
Printed in China
First Printing, 2025
Tapioca Stories, a New York–based publishing house with Latin American soul, introduces young English readers to the finest Latin American children’s books, originally written in Spanish and Portuguese.
© 2025 Tapioca Stories
55 Gerard St. #455, Huntington, New York 11743
www.tapiocastories.com
Eugenio Fernández Vázquez
Mariana Villanueva Segovia
Translated by Kit Maude
Out where the foam starts its fizzing, and you don’t know if the beach is ending or beginning,
a lighthouse sends out its call, warning sailors one and all, of the dangers they might befall.
But while down below the waves crash and roar,
up above stands a man the sailors adore.
All on his own, he’ll help anyone in need.
With a lifebelt at the ready, he reacts with great speed.
He embraces everyone he finds floating lost and alone.
And they leave feeling better, eager to get back home.
Everyone except for the one who casts her spell from above
but sometimes needs his care and love.
Her glow returns and her strength surges back.
But gradually the night will return to black.
And though she might leave all of a sudden, she always at least winks an eye.
He knows it’s a promise to be remembered and treasured.
Sometime soon, she’ll reappear, smiling from ear to ear.
She tells him all about her travels across the world,
but once she grows restless, her phases start to swirl.
And so the keeper turns back to the sea, which is always so wild and free.
From atop his lighthouse, he listens to the ocean dance and play, enjoying the sky when it’s fair ...
but also the storm in full sway.
