The sheriff shook his head and led him away. “Say adiós.”

Dinero knew he hadn’t made a deal. “Adiós, Chicharrones.”

“Adiós, Dinero.” The Chicharrones waved goodbye.

After working hard and saving their pesos, the brothers decided to go into business for themselves. They started Residencias Chicharrones, which were homes for those just starting out in life. The houses they built weren’t made of straw or piñon sticks, but of adobe bricks that were sturdy and would last.

About the Author

As a little girl in Pueblo, Colorado, Patricia Santos Marcantonio loved to read fairy tales. She also enjoyed her parents’ jokes and storytelling. Soon, she was writing stories of her own.

Marcantonio says she wanted the stories to honor her Mexican American heritage. So she decided to retell famous fairy tales in a creative new way. Her first book, Red Ridin’ in the Hood, won the Américas Award.

In Other Words

  • adiós goodbye (in Spanish)

  • Residencias Homes, Residences (in Spanish)

  • sturdy strong

Before You Move On

  • 1. Confirm Prediction Did Dinero cheat Astuto? Was your prediction correct?

  • 2. Summarize How do the brothers work together to fool Dinero?

  • 3. Opinion What do you think of the way the story ends? Explain.