Chapter 3 Summary

That night Esperanza has a dream that she is being awakened by a bear that is shaking her. She wakes to her mother's screams that the house is on fire, and they must leave at once. Upon arriving outside, they find servants, vaqueros, and campesinos running everywhere. However, Abuelita is nowhere outside. Miguel finds and comforts Esperanza, and then runs back inside the house, looking for Abuelita. He finally returns from the burning house, carrying her over his shoulder. She is weak and has hurt her ankle, but is otherwise all right. She had returned to retrieve her crocheting. They all watch as El Rancho de las Rosas, the roses, and the grapes continue to burn.

The next morning Esperanza searches the burned ruins for any of her things, but in vain. Soon, her uncle, Tio Luis, rides his horse to their home...