Death Forgiven Summary

In Death Forgiven, a friend of the family smuggles a parrot from Mexico. Named El Perico, it is the family pet. He is a family member who flies around in the home. Francisco spends hours teaching him to say "periquito bonito" or little, beautiful parrot (Death Forgiven, p. 47). The whole family loves the parrot. Francisco plays with him constantly and gives him kisses. El Perico loves the neighbors' cat named Catarina. They become good friends and eat from the same plate. When the neighbors come over without Catarina, El Perico gets very upset and flaps his wings.

One night the parrot has a fit because the neighbors come over without Catarina. He shrieks loudly and feathers go everywhere. Papa enters the home in a bad mood because work is scarce and grape season is almost over. He grabs a broom and...