Huevos Rancheros: A Mexican Tale

John Walker is a professor of Spanish at Queen’s University.

Huevos Rancheros is a beautifully produced tale that belongs to the
trickster tradition, which is found in many cultures. Stefan Czernecki
has given it a uniquely Mexican twist.

Marcelina is a smart and courageous little hen who lives in a small
cage in Seсor Raul’s cantina in Mexico City. With the eggs that she
lays, Seсor Raul makes huevos rancheros (fried eggs on tortillas) for
his customers. Marcelina dreams of escaping from her cage—and finally
does.

She goes to Coyetepec to be with Padre Tomas who needs eggs for his
meals. But the priest locks up Marcelina to protect her from a marauding
coyote, who is the trickster (a cat/dog figure who sings beautifully to
capture his prey). When the cunning coyote approaches her, the crafty
little hen persuades him that it would not be to his advantage to eat
her; rather, he should let her lay her eggs so that he can have huevos
rancheros every day and never be hungry. When Marcelina invites the
coyote to attend the annual animal fiesta to be blessed by Padre Tomas,
she dances and the coyote sings, and they all live happily ever after.

The delightful story is illuminated by Czernecki’s exquisitely
crafted illustrations, whose vivid colors and humorously portrayed
characters capture both the spirit of the animal world and the essence
of Mexican life. The book is rounded out by the recipe for making huevos
rancheros. Highly recommended.