In this Puerto Rican folktale retold by Judith Ortiz Cofer, a lonely old woman has only one love… a beautiful pear tree growing outside her door. Her one hate is mischievous children who climb the tree and steal its fruit. A wish granted by a travelling sorcerer solves her problem with the children and, when Death comes for her, allows her to capture him. Her trick on Death causes so many troubles around the world that she finally releases him in exchange for immortality. The message of the story: there will always be misery and death in the world.
The story highlights two aspects of death: the industry and cultural traditions that have built up to delay and/or deal with it; and its role in ending the misery and suffering of the old or seriously ill. Tia Miseria’s bargain with Death demonstrates the folly of those who wish for immortality. Her current empty, meaningless life will continue forever, her precious pear tree will eventually die, and, like the “struldbruggs” in Johnathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, her body will continue to age and decay.
Aunty Misery Text / PDF (650 words)