La luz es como agua
on Goodreads (454)
What’s inside...
In 'La luz es como el agua,' Gabriel García Márquez tells the story of two young brothers living in Madrid who ask their parents for a rowboat in exchange for their good grades. The parents, thinking it a harmless request, comply. One day, while the parents are away, the boys break a light bulb in their home and light begins to pour out like water. They use their rowboat to navigate through the light-filled apartment. As time passes, they become adept sailors, and their apartment becomes a fantastical sea of light. The boys host their friends for adventurous 'navigations,' but during one event, a tragic accident occurs, resulting in the drowning of the children in the light. The story is a surreal exploration of imagination, childhood, and the unexpected consequences of fulfilling whimsical desires.
Age
7-9
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Toto
La Madre
El Padre
Joel
Discussion points
How do you think light and water are similar and different?
What imaginative ways would you use light if it flowed like water?
Why do you think the children in the story wanted the light to act like water?
How do the children feel when they explore the flooded city of light, and why do you think they feel that way?
How does the story change the way you think about everyday things like light?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to visualize the scenes by asking them to describe the setting and the atmosphere using their own imagination.
Connect the story to real-life physics by discussing how light and water actually behave—such as how light travels and reflects, and how water flows and takes shape.
Ask your child to draw parallels between the story and their own experiences with water activities or playing with light (like shadows or reflections).
Discuss the emotions of the characters and relate them to personal feelings and experiences to deepen empathy and understanding.
Reinforce creative thinking by asking your child how they might rewrite a scene with a different outcome or setting.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: In 'La luz es como el agua', the narrative explores children using their imagination to transform light into water, turning their home into an underwater world.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to use their imagination in playful and educational activities, fostering creativity and innovative thinking.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: As the children in the story are entrusted with a boat and learn to navigate their imaginative world, themes of responsibility are interwoven.
Real-World Application: This story can teach children about the importance of taking care of their possessions and being responsible for their actions in daily life.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The story delves into what happens when the children's imaginative play leads to unexpected results, demonstrating the consequences of actions.
Real-World Application: It serves as a good basis for discussions with children about foreseeing outcomes and understanding that all actions have consequences.
Example Lesson: Collaboration
Explanation: The siblings in the story work together to create their underwater world, highlighting the value of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to work together with peers or family members, developing teamwork skills and learning to cooperate to achieve common goals.