Set a Purpose

A girl moves to a new country. Find out how she feels about her new home.

Some days I still get homesick for Cuba, with its warm sea breezes and its mango trees. I live in Georgia now, far from the sea. There is winter here, when the days are short and cold. There is only one tree in my yard—a magnolia tree. It has no fruit, but it does bear flowers.

It is no ordinary tree. It has a story.

When my family came to this small town in Georgia, it was a big change from our tropical island. In time, though, I started to like my new home. Soon I learned enough English to make a best friend. An American friend.

One day, we had a silly fight over a bike, and my friend called me an ugly name. I remember that Saturday as if it were today …