Efren Divided Chapter 1 by Ernesto Cisneros
Summary
TLDRThe video script tells the story of Efren Nava, a young boy who wakes up to a new day in his close-knit family's small apartment. He shares a room and a mattress with his younger siblings, Mia and Max, and is part of a family where both parents work hard to make ends meet. Efren is a thoughtful and caring older brother, who even tries to correct his younger siblings' English. The story highlights the family's simple yet cherished morning routine, with their mother making sopes, a traditional meal, and emphasizing the importance of language and heritage. Efren's day takes a turn when he is allowed to walk to school alone for the first time, symbolizing a step towards independence. Along the way, he interacts with neighbors, including his friend David, who is characterized by his unique style and carefree attitude. The narrative also touches on the community's challenges, such as the presence of law enforcement helicopters, which are a stark reminder of the family's precarious situation in a neighborhood with a reputation for crime. Efren's journey to school is filled with small adventures, from feeding kittens to contemplating bringing guayabas as a gift for his teacher, and ends with a humorous exchange with David about school politics and popularity.
Takeaways
- 😄 Efren Nava, the protagonist, wakes up to his younger brother Max's foot in his face, showing a humorous start to their day.
- 🏡 The family lives in a small apartment with limited space, sharing a mattress and bathroom as their only private space.
- 👂 Efren tries a quirky method to keep his ears from sticking out by taping them to his head, hoping they will eventually 'freeze' into place.
- 📚 Efren loves reading and revisits books like an old friend, finding solace in the story of Bradley Chalkers from 'There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom'.
- 👨👧👦 Efren's family is close-knit, with his mother, Amma, being a hardworking woman who takes care of her children with love and determination.
- 🍲 Amma prepares sopes, a simple yet cherished meal in their family, reflecting their culture and the joy found in simple pleasures.
- 👮♂️ There's a sense of community and shared responsibility, as seen when the neighborhood goes into lockdown mode due to a helicopter overhead.
- 👧👦 Max and Mia, Efren's younger siblings, are full of energy and personality, with Max having a learning disability that the family acknowledges as a 'Milagro'.
- 🏫 Miss Solomon, a beloved teacher, shows concern for her students and is a source of support for Efren's family.
- 🚲 David, Efren's best friend, is an independent and somewhat rebellious character, offering Efren a sense of freedom and camaraderie.
- 👑 David's plan to run for school president is driven by a desire for popularity and to make changes in the school, despite Efren's reservations.
- 👕 Efren values his independence, as shown by his reluctance to wear a helmet or be overly dependent on his mother for getting to school.
Q & A
How does Efren wake up in the beginning of the story?
-Efren wakes up with a chubby pajama foot in his face, which he initially mistakes for his sister Mia's, but soon realizes it belongs to his little brother Max.
What does Efren attempt to do to his ears every morning?
-Efren tries to tape his ears back against his head in the hope that they will eventually freeze in that position and stop sticking out.
What is Efren's favorite breakfast food?
-Efren's favorite breakfast is sopes, which are a type of thick corn tortilla topped with beans and fresh Ranchero cheese.
Why does Efren stay up late at night?
-Efren stays up late because he is worried about his father, Ahmad, who has been working overtime hours at the factory and he is also concerned about the news of family separations and raids happening around town.
What is the significance of the helicopter that flies overhead?
-The helicopter signifies the presence of law enforcement activity in the neighborhood, which is a source of tension and fear for the family due to the recent talks about raids and family separations.
How does Amma show her care for her children?
-Amma shows her care by preparing breakfast for her children, ensuring they are well-dressed and neat before school, and by performing small miracles (mini Milagros) in their daily lives, such as making sopes for them.
What is the reason behind Max's learning difficulties?
-Max's learning difficulties are due to the fact that he was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, which led to a lack of oxygen that hurt his brain.
Why does Miss Solomon want Amma's mole recipe?
-Miss Solomon wants Amma's mole recipe because she has a date with a doctor and she promised to cook dinner for him. She believes Amma's mole will impress him.
What does David show off to Efren?
-David shows off his new fake diamond stud earrings to Efren, which are large enough to cover his entire earlobes.
Why does David suggest that Efren should run for a school position?
-David suggests Efren should run for a school position to gain instant popularity, which he believes would give them both more social status and choices among girls.
What is Efren's initial reaction to the idea of running for school president?
-Efren is hesitant and not interested in running for school president, as he does not like the idea of extra work and is not into politics.
Outlines
😄 Morning Family Dynamics
The story begins with Efren waking up to his younger brother Max's foot in his face. The family shares a small apartment where privacy is minimal. Efren's parents are always up early for work, and Efren has a routine of taping his ears to make them appear less prominent. He enjoys reading in the bathtub, but falls asleep there. His mother, Amma, is a hardworking woman who prepares breakfast and takes care of the family, including making sopes from leftover frijoles. The family's dynamic is disrupted by a helicopter overhead, a common occurrence due to neighborhood activities. Efren's parents are protective, and despite the chaos, they maintain a strong sense of community and family.
🏡 Amma's Care and the School Day's Start
Amma, the mother, is depicted as a nurturing figure who performs small miracles daily, such as making sopes, which are a treat for the children. She emphasizes the importance of bilingualism and takes pride in their heritage. The family's morning continues with the children getting ready for school, and Amma ensures they are well-dressed and prepared. The neighborhood is shown to be close-knit, despite its challenges. The school day begins with a helicopter causing a moment of panic, but it's just passing by. The children's teacher, Miss Solomon, is introduced as a caring figure who interacts warmly with the family. She mentions a small issue with Max hiding under the sink, highlighting his unique characteristics.
🎒 First Steps to Independence
Efren is granted permission to walk to school alone, a milestone that makes him feel independent. Miss Solomon has nominated the family for a Christmas gift basket as a token of gratitude for their help with a school play. Efren's mother, Amma, declines, suggesting another family should benefit this year. Miss Solomon then asks Amma for her mole recipe for a date. Efren is excited about walking to school alone but chooses to walk instead of biking due to not wanting to wear his helmet. He appreciates the community on Highland Street, where people share what they have despite their limited means. Efren is momentarily distracted by a guayaba tree and a litter of kittens in a tree, showing his connection to the neighborhood's nature.
🚴♂️ Riding with David and School Politics
Efren's friend David, with his distinctive style, offers Efren a ride to school on his bike. They share a playful interaction about David's daring to ride with Concha, a girl from their neighborhood. David suggests Efren should run for a school position, but Efren is not interested in politics. Instead, he is content with the newfound freedom of walking to school by himself. David tries to convince Efren to join him in a meeting for potential student government candidates, and Efren reluctantly agrees, showing the depth of their friendship. The paragraph ends with Efren reflecting on the independence and popularity that comes with being a bit older and navigating the social dynamics of school.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Family Dynamics
💡Socioeconomic Status
💡Cultural Identity
💡Resilience
💡Community
💡Education
💡Independence
💡Sibling Relationship
💡Hardship
💡Growth and Development
💡Friendship
Highlights
Efren wakes up to his brother Max's foot in his face, reflecting the close family dynamics and humorous interactions.
Efren's concern for his younger brother Max, who has developmental challenges, reveals a deep sense of family responsibility and empathy.
The family's morning routine, including Amma's preparation of sopes, showcases cultural traditions and the importance of family meals.
Efren's attempt to change the appearance of his ears using tape demonstrates his self-consciousness and desire to fit in.
Efren's love for reading and his connection to the character Bradley Chalkers highlight his imagination and the role of literature in his life.
The community's response to a helicopter overhead, including Amma's protective actions, illustrates the impact of external threats on their daily life.
Efren's decision to walk to school alone symbolizes his growing independence and maturity.
Miss Solomon's character adds a layer of warmth and stability to the children's lives, as shown by her interactions with Efren and his siblings.
Efren's consideration of bringing a gift for his teacher reflects his thoughtful nature and the cultural value of showing appreciation.
David's unique style and the nickname 'Perakito Blanco' highlight the theme of individuality and the challenges of fitting in.
The bond between Efren and David, despite their differences, underscores the importance of friendship and acceptance.
David's plan to run for school president and his reasoning show his ambition, creativity, and the influence of peer dynamics on decision-making.
Efren's reluctance to engage in school politics reflects his personal values and priorities, differentiating him from his friend David.
The description of Highland Street captures the essence of community life, where despite hardships, there is a sense of sharing and looking out for each other.
Amma's resourcefulness, such as making a cactus taco, exemplifies the family's resilience and the creative ways they make ends meet.
The narrative's portrayal of Efren's family life provides insight into the challenges and joys of a lower-income household.
Efren's moment of independence, choosing to walk to school alone, is a pivotal moment in his journey towards self-reliance.
Transcripts
I'm going to read ephrine divided by
Ernesto Cisneros
chapter one
once again Efren Nava woke up to a
chubby pajama foot in his face he
squinted at the bright yellow Rays
peeking in through the wind broken
window blinds and looked to his left but
it wasn't Mia's foot she was fast asleep
cuddled at the edge of their mattress
with the same naked plush doll whose
clothes she'd taken off and lost a long
time ago
he looked to his right sure enough the
foot belonged to Max how Max managed to
roll over Efren during the middle of the
night was beyond him Efren shook his
head inside but when he caught sight of
the tiny hole on the right foot of his
little brother's flannel onesie smiling
Efren licked the tip of his pinky and
gave a wet willy to Max's pajito
that friend covered his mouth and
stifled his laughter as a sleeping Max
pulled away his leg however the victory
didn't last long Max spun around in his
sleep and planted his other foot in
efren's face there was no way to win
Efren yawned himself fully awake before
turning toward his parents side of the
room once again APPA was gone no sign of
his heavy jacket or scuffed up work
boots by the front door either it seemed
no matter how early Efren tried getting
up he just couldn't catch up a pod
getting ready for work AMA was the same
way and never slept in any minute now
she'd wake up unwrap her blankets and go
right to the kitchen to make breakfast
there was a pot full of leftover
Frijoles from last night's dinner and
that meant she would be she would for
sure be making a fresh soap base this
morning efren's favorite but before that
Efren had something important to do he
lifted Max leg by the pajamas and got up
careful not to disturb Mia who now
snuggled close to Max
my friend stepped over the pair of pint
sign leg pint-sized legs and arms
blocking his path he wasn't sure which
was worse sharing a mattress with two
kindergarteners or sharing this sharing
the bathroom
their apartment was really one big room
so the only place they could find peace
and quiet was the bathroom Efren looked
in the mirror wincing as he removed the
tiny strips of tape pending his ears
back against the sides of his head an
idea he came up with after repeatedly
hearing Amma were in the little ones
against making funny faces
she'd say their face is freezing that's
exactly what Efren counted on it was
only a theory but if it were all even
slightly true he get he he guessed the
same would apply to his ears if he could
manage to take back his ears often
enough they too would eventually freeze
and finally stop sticking out all he
would all he had to do was make sure
they folded in just the right way for a
couple more weeks and Presto normal ears
that didn't stick out like the knobs on
Frankenstein's neck
after taking care of business Efren
climbed inside the empty bathtub with a
library copy of there's a boy in the
girl's bathroom by one of his favorite
authors Louis Sachar Efren loved reading
books even when he'd read them before it
was like visiting an old friend the main
character Bradley chalkers was the best
and it wasn't just that he had a really
sweet side to him that his classmates
didn't get to see nope the boy was super
tough and no matter how rough things got
for him he continued to show up and
fight like efren's best friend David
another misunderstood kid some kids at
school only saw this white kid who likes
to dress flashy and flaunt his latest
piece of jewelry but ephra knew the real
David the same boy who once took off the
sweatshirt he was wearing and donated it
for a clothing Drive in the neighborhood
normally Efren would lie in the tub
reading and laughing until a stampede of
feet came running toward the door but
this morning his eyelids were extra
heavy and the need for sleep was too
powerful he couldn't fight it not after
staying up so late waiting waiting for
Ahmad to return from working overtime
hours at the factory for the last couple
of weeks there had been a whole lot of
talk a whole lot of cheese May
especially around the laundromat about
various raids and stop points happening
around town Efren tried not thinking
about what he'd seen on the news all the
stories about families being separated
kids put in cages but that was easier
said than done Efren couldn't help but
worry despite numerous lectures from
Omaha and repeated threats of being on
the receiving end of her chancla he
stayed up really late until she got home
he'd done the best he could to piece
together the information he heard but it
wasn't easy it seemed like any time he
caught adults talking about it someone
in the room would nods toward him and
the topic would shift to something else
usually the finite moments of the
previous night's Telenovela after an
unplanned nap in the tub Efren heard
rattling in the kitchen and headed over
by the stove stood Amma wearing her
fuzzy blue robe that according to Max
made her look like the Cookie Monster
Efren stood and admired how easily Amma
formed perfect little saucers from the
doughy Masa de mais and then pinched the
steaming edges to form a tiny wall to
keep the beans from seeping off
her hands were tough and hummingbird
fast as she tested the griddle's
temperature by touching it with her bare
fingers how did she manage not to burn
herself Efren wondered I must sopes were
delicious and even though they weren't
much more than a thick corn tortilla
topped with beans and fresh Ranchero
cheese Efren didn't think of them as a
poor man's meal to him to Max to Mia
they were a special treat just one of
the mini Milagros Amma performed on a
daily basis something super super soap
based soapers
that made a ma supper woman Efren
laughed to himself the word fit her
perfectly before long Max and Mio were
up and climbed onto their usual seats at
the table sopes they turned to each
other and spring out into song Frijoles
Frijoles
Efren shook his head you guys should be
practicing your English my fifth grade
teacher Mrs O'Neill used to say that's
the only way to master the language
set the breakfast spread on the kitchen
table her exhausted eyes creasing as she
smiled mijo most of the world speaks
more than one language and Spanish is a
part of who we are she moved toward
Efren and ruffled his hair you'll
understand when you're older Max and Mia
reached in first each picking up a bean
and cheese topped sope
and I the last one while ma filled the
glasses with chilled orange juice ma
where is yours I am a cup of cafecito is
all I need Efren stomach grumbled but it
was his heart giving the orders
um why don't you take mine I can have
breakfast at school anyway there's no
point letting all that school food go to
waste and have them think I can't
provide for my own children no gracias
Efren and Harold I am uh he said knowing
that she was simply being well Amma
she pulled up a note bottle she'd cut
yesterday from the cactus plant peeking
over the neighbor's fence and matter of
factly scraped off the Thorns with a
knife then she held it over the stove
top bare-handed when it was well roasted
she scooped up the remainder of the
beans with a wooden spoon and created a
sort of cactus Taco see I'm fine she
said taking a bite Being Sober woman
wasn't just about checking teeth
flattening down cowlicks and making sure
Max were only one pair of underwear at a
time it included making sure that
everyone wore perfectly creased pants
and that any Halls made the day before
were creatively sewn or patched over
it's one thing to not have a lot of
money Amma reminded them just about
every morning it's another to look the
part of all the things Amma did this
baffled effort the most How could a
person who sometimes spent 70 plus hours
a week locked in the factory behind a
steaming iron go anywhere near one at
home then again this probably explained
her talent for bare-handedly flipping
tortillas and carrying them to the table
without even a wins okay mihos time to
get ready for school everyone knew the
drill put on the clothes neatly laid out
last night by Emma brush teeth comb hair
and then grab backpack with lunch inside
Amma was about to hand out well done
kisses when out of nowhere a helicopter
hovered and roared uncomfortably close
overhead a ma waved a fist ah this is
the second time in three weeks
unfortunately sometimes the nighttime
activities from our the neighborhood
carried over into the daytime hours Home
raids car chases and suspects at large
were all as familiar as palatero trucks
selling ice cream bars out of out of
outside of church
I'm on March to the front door and lock
the metal screen going into lockdown
mode Max and Mia shut and locked the
sliding glass door on the back of the
apartment before Amma could even ask no
one spoke a word listening for screaming
Sirens or Worse gunfire
um I peeked through the layered curtains
she'd sewn together last spring it was
just passing by
ma had barely unlocked the door before
the twins rushed past her and ran
outside ninos don't run down the stairs
she turned to Efren who was busy
strapping on his backpack what am I
going to do with those two adoption I'm
up playfully slapped at the back of his
head before stepping outside the twins
waited by Don Ricardo's food truck
parked curbside can we get some chetos
Efren rolled his eyes guys for the last
time they're called Cheetos I must
smiled and waved off Don Ricardo or Don
Tapatio as most of the neighborhood
called him because of the huge mustache
in sombrero that he wore no gracias she
said Escuela
Don Ricardo smile return the smile and
Nod it as she steered the twins Away by
their arms if you are good she added I'm
on ephrine followed the twins into the
kindergarten playground even though the
school was only a Sprint away Amman
never let them go alone not even Ephraim
whose Middle School was only blocks away
between the swings and patch of dirt
used for playing marbles Max and Mia
Bear hugged their favorite teacher Miss
Solomon she was an older lady dressed in
a gray business suit and chasing
clashing white sneakers eventually they
let her go and ran off to play on the
jungle gym Amma approached the teacher
for a hug herself Senora Nava Miss
Solomon asked
excellente Maestra excellente Miss
Solomon turned to Efren and you senorito
are getting almost too big to hug almost
she leaned in and hugged them too even
when the with the air inside him being
squeezed out Efren continued to smile
Miss Solomon paused to examine him once
more I can't believe how big you're
getting reminds me of how old I'm
getting you're not Old Miss Solomon
Efron answered you look exactly the same
as when you taught me and of course that
made her laugh buenos dias
how have my little ones been behaving
Miss Solomon turned and scrunched her
lips to one side just one tiny problema
she said following with a short chuckle
yesterday Max decided to hide underneath
the sink and Mia would not stop crying
until we found him that was typical Max
unlike Mia Max was born with his
umbilical cord wrapped around his neck
sadly all the minutes max went went
without oxygen hurt his brain made it
hard for him to learn something he would
have to deal with all of his life Hamas
said it was a Milagro that he survived
at all Efren couldn't help but wonder
what Max would have been like had the
doctors caught the problem in time yeah
it's amazing how much Mio worries of
about him I think it's super sweet
suddenly Miss Solomon's face lit up oh
before I forget I already submitted your
name for this year's Christmas gift
baskets I know it's still November but I
wanted to make sure that you were
included especially after all the help
you gave me putting together the
costumes for last month last month's
play gracias Maestra but we already got
our turn it's best if somebody else gets
it this year Miss Solomon pressed her
lips together
oh all right she said but I do have a
favor to ask Miss Solomon after
everything that you have done for my
children no favor is too big consider it
done well she leaned in closer to Emma I
have a date he's really cute she said
giddy with excitement Efren made a face
and turned toward the playground and
he's a doctor she added I promised to
cook dinner for him and was hoping to
get the recipe for that fabulous mole
you make I might turn to Efren Efren
mijo you've been asking me for weeks now
how would you feel about walking to
school by yourself solo he asked solito
she added efren's fist pump the air and
shuffled his feet in a celebratory dance
can I go home and pick up my bike only
if you take your helmet he scowled up
the thought of showing up to school
wearing the turo shaped helmet Amma
bought him from the swap meet no thanks
I'll walk instead with that Efren darted
past a portable classroom by the
kindergarten side of the of the campus
and onto Highland Street he passed
donia's lime colored Plex and pause to
look at her guayaba tree where he
scanned the branches guayabas were his
favorite but that wasn't the kind of
fruit he could picture into any of his
teachers eating he figured teachers
wouldn't accept anything coming from
grubby kid hands unless it came with a
thick peel guayabas were definitely out
that was the thing about Highland Street
some people just saw the Warren
apartments and graffiti tagged walls but
it offered good things too like the
fruit trees as far as the eye could see
according to Amai had to do with people
her age being used to Growing their own
fruit
that was one of the beautiful things
about walking this street even though
people on the Block didn't have much
everyone still shared and looked out for
each other Efren strolled a bit further
stopping at the apartment complex
sandwiched in the middle of the block up
high in an avocado tree a litter of
black kittens competed for his attention
hey kitties you guys might be cute but
I'm allergic to you only the kittens
didn't pay any mind to what he said and
continued looking down at him and
purring in their Kitty language no it's
not going to work I have to get going or
I'm going to be late for school so stop
it I don't care how cute you are
a few minutes later Efren found himself
with red itchy eyes sitting up in the
branches with two kitties nestled on his
lap that's when a familiar whistle
caught his attention Efren looked down
sure enough it was David on his bike
even though he was the only white kid
living on this block it wasn't his skin
color that made him stand out it was his
hip-hop style Kids on the Block called
him out of perakito Blanco because of
the bright colors and baggy oversized
clothes he wore that and his parrot-like
nose it's been this way since he moved
into the neighborhood it'd been this way
Efron carefully handed out handed off
the kittens to David and climbed on down
what you doing up there asked David
needing the kitten's backs I was going
to take some avocados to my teachers but
they're still kind of hard they look
like grenades have you ever held a real
grenade that friend scratched the top of
the tip of his nose not a real one you
no David pointed to his ears how about
real diamonds though Efren leaned in for
a closer look man he exclaimed sweet
earrings David smiled showing off his
new fake diamond stud earrings large
enough to cover his entire earlobes yeah
they're real too effort leaned in closer
real fake you mean David crumpled his
forehead no way not these Don Tapatio
wouldn't have charged me 10 bucks if
they were fake he pointed at his ear
Porto bling bling he said with a grin
well they're way cool you know what
David surveyed the street Dude where's
your mom I know right David surveyed the
street Dude where's your mom Efren
Shrugged oh I finally complain and told
her that I'm too old to be walked to
school David Scott yeah right you're
probably you you probably begged her huh
yeah pretty much hey want to ride sure
Efren jumped onto the handlebars and
held on tight initially the bike swayed
back and forth but it eventually
straightened as David made it onto the
side of the street you sure you can
handle my weight Efren asked of course I
gave Concha a ride the other day and
she's not all bony like you Efren
laughed yep David continued she barely
squeezed between the handlebars her mom
would have a cow if she'd known they'd
been riding together like that as much
as she liked David she didn't quite
understand him said she couldn't get why
a boy would dye his hair different
colors each month or why I insisted on
saginas pants so low that she always
knew the exact pattern of his boxer
shorts once she even threatened to throw
away all of efren's underwear if he ever
tried something like that and even
though she was smiling when she said it
Efren knew better than to risk it
today though Efren felt like a real life
celebrity strutting his stuff down the
red carpet he sat upright waving at all
the elementary school kids still being
escorted by their overly protective
mothers that's right world eat your
heart out
for once he knew what it was like to be
independent like David and all the time
Efren had known David he had never seen
anyone calling him inside when it got
late never saw anyone coming out to the
playground to see if he needed a sweater
or hassle him for not keeping his shirt
tucked all the way into his pants
when the duo reached the school David
stopped at the bike rack where the
school security guard rabbit was
standing at least that's what kids
called him they thought it was a clever
name for the old man who was so slow
that a tortoise could outrace him Efren
hopped off the bike and untucked his
shirt so what's up with you you usually
get here right before the late Bell
simple you were looking at this year's
this year's new ASB president ASB
associate something I don't know point
is I'm gonna run for school president I
know I'm only a seventh grader but so is
Jennifer Huerta and she's the only other
person running she's such a teacher's
pet there's no way I'm going to lose to
her
you do know that's a bunch of extra work
right I know but the way I figure once I
win I can pass a new rule for the vice
president to have to do all that stuff
Efron crinkled his forehead dude I don't
think that's how it works of course not
that's why I'm running to fix it you
know what you should run for office too
but then I'd have to do all your work or
you could be treasure he slid his
fingers over his palm as if peeling a
potato it's going to rain money for sure
and you'll be in charge of it all dude
we're talking Millions Efron took his
head I don't know about that besides I'm
not really into politics forget politics
I'm talking instant popularity by next
year we'll both have our pick of girls
so that's what this is this is about
David when all puppy-eyed a look Efren
had seen plenty of times before nah no
thanks fine said David but will you at
least go with me to the candidates
meeting Efren knew all too well how
horribly wrong most of David's plans
usually went still he couldn't say no to
his best friend all right but you owe me
duh dude that's how politics work
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