Chapter 1 Leaving the family home behind Miguel breathed the crisp air of another sunny morning in Santa Cecilia As he headed into town with his shoeshine box he passed a woman sweeping a stoop She waved Hola Miguel Hola Miguel waved back Closer to town Miguel smiled at a lone guitar player plucking away at a song The farther in Miguel went the more music filled the air Church bells chimed in harmony A band played an upbeat tune A radio blared a swift cumbia rhythm Miguel soaked it all in He couldn't help tapping out a beat on a table covered with brightly colored wooden animal figurines
As Miguel rushed past another stand with pastries for sale he grabbed a pan dulce and tossed the vendor a coin Smelling the sweet bread Miguel's canine sidekick Dante sidled up to him Miguel tore off a piece of the bread and Dante chomped it down Everywhere Miguel looked people were preparing for their loved ones to return from the Land of the Dead by hanging colorful papel picado and laying marigold petals at their doorways As usual Mariachi Plaza was full of musicians strolling around waiting for their chance to serenade a couple or a family with a love song or a classic corrido Soon a tour group gathered around a large statue of a mariachi player in the center of the plaza And right here in this very plaza the young Ernesto de la Cruz took his first steps toward becoming the most beloved singer in Mexican history said the guide Everyone in the group nodded familiar with the legendary musician and singer Along with the tourists Miguel gazed up at the statue He'd seen it a hundred times but it always inspired him After a moment Miguel found a spot in the plaza
and pulled out his shoeshine box A mariachi plopped down for a shine Miguel knew the mariachi would enjoy this story After all everyone loved Ernesto He started out a total nobody from Santa Cecilia like me said Miguel But when he played music he made people fall in love with him He starred in movies He had the coolest guitar He could fly Miguel had seen that special effect in some old film clips And he wrote the best songs But my all time favorite It's Miguel gestured to some musicians nearby who were playing Remember Me Ernesto's biggest hit He lived the kind of life you dream about Until 1942 when he was crushed by a giant bell The mariachi looked pointedly at his shoes which Miguel was only halfheartedly shining Ignoring the musician Miguel shrugged off Ernesto's unfortunate death I wanna be just like him Sometimes I look at Ernesto and I get this feeling like we're connected somehow Like if he could play music maybe someday I can too Miguel sighed If it wasn't for my family Ay yi yi muchacho said the mariachi snapping Miguel out of his story Huh said Miguel
if I asked for a shoeshine not your life story replied the mariachi Oh yeah sorry Miguel lowered his head and polished the man's shoe As he worked the mariachi casually plucked at his guitar strings I just can't really talk about any of this at home so Look if I were you I'd march right up to my family and say Hey I'm a musician Deal with it I could never say that You ARE a musician no I don't know I mean I only really play for myself Ahh the mariachi howled Did Ernesto de la Cruz become the world's best musician by hiding his sweet sweet skills No He walked out onto that plaza and he played out loud The mariachi pointed to the gazebo where a giant canvas that read TALENT SHOW was being unfurled Ah Mira mira They're setting up for tonight The music competition for Día de los Muertos You wanna be like your hero You should sign up Uh uh my family would freak Miguel said Look you're too scared then well have fun making shoes The mariachi shrugged C'mon what did Ernesto de la Cruz always say Seize your moment Miguel said
