Amanda Van Parys's Reviews > Josefina Learns A Lesson

Josefina is eager to help her family replace the sheep they lost in a flash flood during a horrible storm. At Tia Dolores's suggestion, they can use the wool they have already shorn to weave blankets to trade to the Americanos, who are very interested in their patterns and colors of woven blankets. Josefina looks up to Tia Dolores who makes the business proposal to her papa since she is a woman and business isn't for women. Papa is impressed with her suggestion and all the girls are excited to help except Francisca, who is growing resentful of Tia Dolores -- she feels Tia is trying to mold them into people they aren't, giving them too much work, and pulling them further and further from their mama by encouraging them to read and write, which their mama never learned. However, Josefina is excited to learn to read, write, and weave. She gets lessons in weaving from Tia's servant, Teresita, a Navajo woman. When Tia shows Josefina a small book she used to record their mama's thoughts, poems, songs, and sayings, Josefina shares this with Francisca and they both become excited to read their mother's words.