How My Brother Leon Brought Home A Wife Summary

by Manuel Arguilla

Leon and his wife Maria are about to return to Leon’s village after getting married. They had met
in the city and Maria has never lived in a village. They are greeted by Baldo, Leon’s younger
sibling, as their horse carriage stops outside the village.

Baldo welcomes the new member of the family. He is impressed by her beauty and soft feature.
He observes her nice fragrance and radiant smile. He ties their bull, named Labang, to the cart
and Leon hauls their trunk on it.

Baldo encourages Maria to touch Labang’s hair and horns. She is awestruck at Labang’s strength
and horns. Leon helps her on the cart and she sits on a bale of husk. They start their journey and
Leon has the reins.

After going a little further, Baldo takes the reins and takes a sudden route change into the rocky
road of Waig and surrounding fields. Leon enquiries about the change of route and Baldo assure
him that he is only following their father’s orders.

Baldo and Leon both question Maria about her views about their village, fields and rocky roads.
She is enthralled by the natural beauty and simple lifestyle. She condemns the sheer number of
vehicles and noise in the city.

She loves the starry and clear skies over the lush fields. She and Leon even start to sing a song
that Leon was taught by his father about the sowed fields under clear skies. They meet a couple
of people after coming out of the fields but not many as most people avoid using the fields after
dark.

They finally reach their house and are welcomed by Leon’s mother and sister. They are smiling
and excited. Leon enquiries about his father who is in his room struggling with leg pain (injured
in the revolution).

Baldo goes to tie Labang and when he returns he finds Maria talking and crying with his mother
and sister. His hears his father’s call and goes to meet him.

His father questions about Maria’s conduct and her behaviour throughout their journey to the
house. It was test designed to see if she can adjust and accept the life of the village and make it
her home.

Baldo reassures him about her live for Leon and commitment to their marriage. He confirms his
observation that Maria was ready to embrace their house as her home.

Their conversation is disturbed as the new couple enters to meet with the father. Baldo leaves the
room giving them some space with the head of the family.

DEAD STARS SUMMARY

BY PAZ MARQQUEZ BENITEZ

The story of the short story Dead Stars revolves around a man, Alfred Salazar, and his affairs.
Alfred Salazar believes in true love and optimism to discover ecstasy in its stir. Esperanza is the
first woman he falls in love with.

The families of both of them are acquainted with each other and hence they start a loving
relationship. Both get engaged after three years of their relationship. Alfredo is a lawyer who has
strong desires and wants warmth and compassion, however, Esperanza is an impassionate
woman having strong will and principles. Alfredo’s love for her soon fades away when he meets
Julia. Julia, now, becomes a new object of his desire.

Julia Salas is sister in law of the Judge, who is a friend of Alfredo’s father. Julia is an optimistic
and enthusiastic person having her own dreams and desires.

When Alfredo comes across her, he is strongly attracted to her. On his visit to her with his father,
he engages himself in conversation with her and is attracted to her charm. Even he is so
passionate that he doesn’t disclose his engagement to Esperanza.

So as to avoid the discovery of his fiancée, he keeps secrets from Esperanza too. His eyes are
doomed when he learns about Julia’s return to his native town. With the fear of losing her,
Alfredo decides to declare his true feeling for Julia.

When the Church’s function ends, Alfredo goes to meet her, though his fiancé is waiting for him.
When he reaches there, he learns that Julia has already known about his engagement to
Esperanza. She wishes him for his marriage and leaves him.

On his return home, he gets a double blow. He finds Esperanza talking to her friend about loyalty
and faithfulness. Alfredo senses a desire to communicate. He supports the reason for craving and
choice over dishonesty.

Esperanza soon confesses that she knew about his affair with Julia. In pursuit of his lust and
heart’s content, she encourages him to cancel the wedding. However, the wedding goes ahead as
scheduled and Alfred surrenders to reason.

Near Julia’s native town, Alfred, after eight years, is sent to some work duty. On his visit, he
feels nostalgic and cannot resist his lust for Julia and soon finds an excuse to meet her.

Julia is still single that forces Alfred to dream about starting a new life with her; however, he
soon realizes that everything is not the same as it were before. Moreover, Julia has also changed
lost something.
 How My Brother Dead Stars
Leon Brought Home
A Wife
Author

Characters

Plot Introduction

Rising Action

Climax

Falling Action

Denouement

Theme

POV

CONFLICT