Made in Mexico

Rosario and his family had just moved to town. They had emigrated from Mexico, their home country, looking for better work. The Gonzalez family was “keyed up” for this chance, but they were surprised to find that this new country had different people, smells, habits, and behaviors.

The first thing that was new for Rosario was the clothes that the other kids in the neighborhood wore to school. They didn’t wear jeans and T-shirts like Rosario was used to: they wore blue shirts and tan pants. Rosario’s mom explained that he would have to wear the same clothes when he went to school. That wasn’t a pleasant thought.

Rosario’s neighbor, Kevin, invited him to come play soccer at the park with the other kids. Kevin was trying to help Rosario feel welcome. Rosario wasn’t excited about this—he wished he could play fútbol, like he did back in Mexico. Imagine his surprise when he showed up and found kids running around kicking a soccer ball. Fútbol and soccer were the same thing!

This was going to be great! Rosario headed off to the field in chase of the other boys. He caught up and joined in the kicking and dribbling. Kevin smiled as he saw Rosario attack the ball. It sailed through the air and landed in the net just behind the goalie’s neck. “Tu es mi amigo!” called Kevin.

Rosario called back, “You are my friend, too.” The United States wasn’t so bad, after all.