Josephine Heltemes

Estevan's life had lost its charm. Day after day, he planted banana trees in the fertile soil on the slopes of a mountain. Sometimes, he would stop in his labor, look out across the verdant valleys, and wish he was anyplace other than on that mountainside. So, when the opportunity arose to ride "look out" on a fruit delivery truck, he took the job. It isn't until the truck reaches the "big city" that the boy realizes it had been a one-way trip. Frighten and confused he begins to walk the city streets. Luckily, his plight does not go unnoticed. He is "adopted" by a young woman, Consuelo, and her family of street urchins. Estevan and his new family face the many dangers associated with poverty and homelessness with courage and perseverance. Along the way, the boy learns that a friend is worth more than riches, and in life; some people are bad, some indifferent, but some are kind even to strangers.