Un lugar contra el frío (A Place Against the Cold), the 2018–2019 Student Book of the Escuela de Escritores in Madrid, brings together a selection of texts created in its workshops, showcasing the diversity of voices, styles, and narrative universes that coexist within this literary community.
The book functions as a mosaic of genres and approaches: fantastical tales, intimate narratives, psychological explorations, and imaginative exercises that demonstrate both the technical discipline and the creative freedom encouraged by the School.
Within this publication, Ana Magnolia Méndez Cabrera participates with the short story “El encuentro con el Galipote” (“The Encounter with the Galipote”), a narrative that blends Caribbean tradition with the fantastic imagination. The story introduces Wilson, an enigmatic fisherman whose presence arouses the curiosity of three neighborhood children who suspect he may be a galipote—a legendary being from Dominican folklore capable of transforming himself.
As a whole, the book stands as a testament to the creative process of its authors and to the value of writing as an exploration of identity, memory, and fantasy. Ana Magnolia’s participation in this edition represents a meaningful and enriching experience, as well as an important milestone in her literary development within a vibrant and diverse creative community.
If you would like to read Encounter with the Galipote,
The Encounter with the Galipote
He had what looked like a hedgehog perched on his head, cat-like eyes, and orange skin. He would arrive home at sunset, and his mother always waited for him with the same dinner: green guineítos, stewed codfish, and a sweating aluminum cup filled with an ice-cold drink. They always ate together, and it seemed they enjoyed it, because their plates were left completely empty.
His name was Wilson, and all the children in the neighborhood were curious about him. Unlike the other fishermen, who climbed into their small boats and caught fish with rods, he was the only one who, harpoon in hand, dove straight into the sea. Swimming powerfully out to deeper waters, he would submerge himself in search of oysters, lobsters, squid, and conch—armed only with his lungs and the glint of his cat-like eyes.
The strength of his lungs and the sparkle in his gaze were not surprising, for rumor had it that he was a Galipote—a legendary being from Dominican folklore capable of transforming himself.
“Wilson is a Galipote!” the neighbors would whisper. Among them, three boys were the most eager to uncover the truth.
Dani, Fer, and José lived next door and across from his house. They constantly watched him leave to fish, return loaded with seafood, and sit down to dinner with his mother. His sun-scorched appearance fascinated them, and they were convinced that the legend claiming he transformed into a Galipote at night was absolutely true. So they decided to investigate.
Their plan was simple: they would enter his house one morning while he was out fishing and search his bedroom for evidence. Afterward, they would go to Dani’s house, from where they could watch him return from the sea and observe him during dinner on the patio terrace.
They already knew that after eating, he would climb to a high place above the town. Surely, they thought, that was where the transformation occurred. If they spied on him, they would catch the moment he changed, take a photograph, and show the entire neighborhood proof that their neighbor was a monster—and that they were brave.
They chose a Thursday during vacation to carry out their plan. The sun rises early in summer, so they would take advantage of the first rays of light. Dani, Wilson’s closest neighbor, would signal the moment to gather by ringing his bicycle bell five times.
Everything unfolded as planned. Dani woke before sunrise and watched Wilson leave for the beach with his harpoon. Immediately, Dani rang his bell five times. His friends, waiting across the street, ran out at the first ring. The three boys lingered around the house until the sun began to burn overhead. That was when Wilson’s mother left for the market. Once she was out of sight, they slipped inside. It wasn’t difficult—she always left the door open.
They were surprised to find the doorknob icy cold and the interior nearly empty, except for a dining table with four chairs. The house was small: a terrace-like balcony, a living room, a dining area, and three blue doors.
Dani opened the first door and slammed it shut—it was the bathroom, recently used.
Fer opened the second: a neat bedroom with many pieces of furniture and a bed made with a pink sheet. Another slam—that wasn’t the room they were looking for.
José opened the third blue door. As soon as he pulled it, a damp, salty, heavy breeze rushed out. Before them stood an unmade bed covered with a massive brown fishing net. The floor was a coral reef, and inside the room they could hear the murmur of waves.
José looked at the ceiling and nudged Dani, who grabbed Fer’s hand as he, too, looked up. The boys struggled to breathe. Speechless, they sat on the brown net, staring.
The ceiling was covered by a defiant sea, alive and moving—snails, fish of every color, lobsters, starfish, stones, algae, and even a mermaid. Everything was there, deep and beautiful, filled with water—so much water—floating overhead, yet not a single drop fell onto the bed or the reef below. It was the continuation of the ocean floor itself.
Just as their amazement peaked, a voice broke the silence and tightened their hearts:
“What are you doing in my room? What are you doing in my house?”
At the sound of the voice, the fish darted behind the mermaid. The boys didn’t know what to do or say. Wilson’s powerful arms wrapped around their waists, lifting them out of the room and placing them in the middle of the empty living room. He stared at them with his cat-like eyes and warned:
“If you say a single word, I swear—I’ll eat the three of you!”
They walked out of the house on their own, silent, their hearts pounding like drums. There was nothing to brag about. Each returned home knowing the truth.
