INTRODUCTION

What makes me write this book is, simply, one of my childhood dreams.  It could not be just a fairy tale because I wanted something lively, something that people would like and with which they would associate. 

I grew up in New York City where I met a character who lived in much need and it is something I can testify, for even up to this day, he has been a loyal companion.  This individual has influenced my life in such a way that I can even say that he is miraculous because he had so much faith in God.

Let me explain why miraculous.  One day, while biking with him and other peers on the Triborough Bridge on our way to Randall’s Island Park, as we began to plunge down the ramp, his brakes snapped and his bicycle hit against the fenders of the Bridge and I saw him in the air.  Well, you know what happens when someone crashes a bike against a wall: the biker flies.  And he was flying.  I thought he would get killed because the fall would have been fatal.  I only know that he was drawn back to the Bridge and he thought we had grabbed on to him.

He told his mom what had happened and she said that it had been her prayers; that the angels had been the ones that had grabbed him because whenever he was not beside her she would beg God to care for him and to deliver him from all evil things.  That is why I believe him to be a man of faith or plainly miraculous.

His stories are very exciting and, of course, true.  I know that many of you are going to identify yourselves with him and that others will be motivated.  Even though I am not very eloquent I am committed to write about this personage, for if I did not, a good story would be lost.  It is my privilege to proceed with the narration.  It is possible that other authors will read and be inspired to write about him, also.  His name is rather peculiar, with several meanings, some negative and some positive.  Not that he is negative; on the contrary, he is admirable.  All his life was about struggling and surviving.  He used the negative things for motivation; things others would complain about.  I have a lot to say about him.  His name is “Centellita”.  Dear reader, get ready because Centellita is at large and, maybe, you will discover that there is one deep within you.

I never thought that if I were to write a book, it would be about this character, and less that it would have to do with success.  This child has been an inspiration to me all life long and I hope that the readers will be inspired by Centellita, as well.  If I have been successful, I owe it to this very special human being that, in all the negative and worse experiences, saw that his future was in his hands and not in the hands of others.