My Memoirs - Citizen of the World

taught the village children to read and write after they had spent
the day helping their parents on the farm. Children were not
required to attend school, so there were a large percentage of
illiterates in the village. My uncle was such wonderful giver and
unselfish human being.
Tio José Leite was a well-to-do farmer. He grew corn and wheat
that was baked into bread weekly. I loved to eat that bread with
butter as it emerged, still hot, from the wood fire kitchen kiln.
There were no bakeries in the small towns or villages. I also
remember that my uncle’s backyard was full of flowers, especially
beautiful daisies and had a huge apple tree full of red apples, which
were absolutely delicious. I feel nostalgic just thinking about the
wonderful peaceful times my family spent on vacation every year.
My family spent a month on vacation, which was different from
other families, especially those that faced the difficulties of having
to depend on the land and the farms that they rented and worked
for their subsistence.
Most of the farms belonged to wealthy magnates to whom the
farmers paid rent. That was how they supported their families,
providing only the minimum necessities required to feed
themselves and their children. There was no plumbing in the
houses; water was carried on their heads, on their backs in barrels
or on top of young donkeys to their homes for cooking and
bathing. But in spite of all these difficulties, that we in the city
took for granted, people were very happy with what little God
provided to them.
Living in the city, my sisters and I had no knowledge of how to
farm. My uncle would teach me and my cousin Rubens how to
plant and pick the vegetables that he planted on his farm. My uncle
also raised cattle and other animals that we enjoyed feeding and
playing with. Back in the city, the only animals we had was a little
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