Spanish: La historia del toro Fernando-The Story of Ferdinand the Bull

Fernando lives with his mother and other bulls in a dehesa in a small Spanish village. Unlike the other bulls who want to be the protagonists at the famous bullfights in Seville, Fernando likes to sit under his favorite cork tree smelling the sweet scent of the wild flowers. The original story by Munro Leaf was controversial in Francoist Spain: the Franco regime was suspicious of a pacifist bull who was happy smelling the flowers instead of training for the bullfights. The book was banned in Spain until the dictator’s death in 1975.

In this story: Bullfighting is a controversial practice depending on which part of Spain one happens to be in. In the context of the story, the region that Fernando is from views bullfighting as a respectable pastime. However, the overall story of Fernando challenges this view, as he chooses not to fight. This story displays the differing opinions on bullfighting or corridas that exists in Spanish culture. It is important to note, the author Munro Leaf is an American writer from California, and Fernando the Bull is not a story originating in Spain. However, values of the culture can be seen; for example in Fernando's relationship with his mother. The family is an important facet of the culture anywhere you go in Spain, and Fernando returns to his family, his mother at conclusion of the story.