Summary

Out on the coast of California, 15 miles south of Monterey, Mama Torres lives on her farm with her three children, Emilio-12 years old, Pepé-19, and Rosy-14. Overall, they are a hard-working family except for Pepé, who, much to his mother's disappointment, is incredibly lazy. While Emilio and Rosy go out and catch fish when the tides cooperate, the gentle, Pepé does not do anything around the house or the farm. However, Mama Torres loves her eldest child dearly and thinks that he is very brave, though she never tells him this.

One fine day along the coast, Mama Torres is looking for Pepé because she has some work for him to do. She calls for her son several times, but decides to search for him when he does not respond. She does not have far to look, since Pepé is...