LAS TRES TORONJAS

Long ago in Michoacán in western Mexico, an Indigenous king goes on a hunt that takes him through a grapefruit orchard. He cuts open a fruit, and a young girl appears who’s “graced by the god, Kuerójperi, creator of all things.” The king believes that she’d be a great blessing on his rule if she would marry his son when she grows up, but the Enchanted Girl is accustomed to living in her grapefruit. However, the ruler offers her bread, water, and clothing to prove that he can provide for her needs. On their way to the palace, the Enchanted Girl meets a servant indebted to an evil witch and convinces her to tag along with her and the king. Later, the two girls don’t receive a warm welcome, as others who are vying for the prince’s hand are uninterested in befriending either of them. However, the Enchanted Girl and Arameni both become good friends with Prince Irepan. Soon, though, Arameni’s previous mistress spots her at a celebration and demands the girl work for her again to pay off her family’s debts; she also ropes a jilted suitor into a plan to stop the Enchanted Girl’s upcoming nuptials. Over the course of this short book, Aguirre-Magaña tells her story using the traditional omniscient narration style of folktales, and it offers an engaging primer on aspects of Mexican folklore for members of a young audience who may be unfamiliar with them. It presents all the usual, familiar trappings of a fairy tale, including royalty, magic, curses, and evil witches. At times, readers may find some of the prose to be overly simple, but it’s suitable for its intended audience.