Mom Goes to War. Irene Aparici Martín

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      Irene Aparici Martín Mónica Carretero

      Mom

      Goes to War

      All of the author's royalties from this book will go to the international program "ponte guapa te sentirás mejor" in support of women with cancer, promoted by the Stanpa Foundation.

      For my sons Sergio and Javier, and

      dedicated to all the mothers in the world—

      first and foremost, my own.

      My sincerest thanks to Dr. Javier Hornedo for his tenacity and wisdom, and for having allowed me to use his name for the General in this story.

      Mom Goes to War

      Text © 2012 Irene Aparici Martín

      Illustrations © 2012 Mónica Carretero

      This edition © 2012 Cuento de Luz SL

      Calle Claveles 10 | Urb Monteclaro | Pozuelo de Alarcón

      28223 Madrid | Spain | www.cuentodeluz.com

      Original title in Spanish: Mamá se va a la guerra

      English translation by Jon Brokenbrow

      Light Series

      ISBN: 978-84-15503-23-1

      All rights reserved

      Illustrated by Mónica Carretero

      Mom Goes to War

      Irene Aparici Martín

      Once upon a time there were two young princes called James and Simon. Long ago, their parents, the king and queen, had decided to separate their kingdoms. The boys went to a special school for little princes, because one day they too would rule their own kingdoms. One morning, the queen called them to her throne room. This was where she normally met with her ministers.

      “James,” said Prince Simon, the eldest brother, “something serious must be going on if Mom wants to see us in the throne room. What have you been up to?”

      When they arrived, the king was there too.

      “Uh-oh, Dad’s there too—now we’re in trouble!” said Prince

      Simon, pushing his brother forward. But the queen, with a serious expression on her face, walked towards them and hugged them lovingly. She looked at each prince in turn and then at the king. She invited them to sit down, and began to speak in a calm, serious voice.

      “Boys, I have to talk to you about something very important. We have a rebellion on our hands.”

      “A rebellion?” asked the princes, with worried expressions.

      “Yes,” said the queen, glancing over at the king.

      “Listen to me very carefully,” she said. “My lookouts have detected some groups of dangerous rebels who are moving around in gangs. They want to invade my kingdom. I’ve called the king because he’s always an ally, and even though this is a battle I’ve got to win on my own, between the two of us we’ll make sure that you’re always safe.”

      “But what kind of battle is that? Where are these rebels from? Are you sure you’re going to win?” The princes couldn’t ask their questions fast enough.

      “Well, my battle is called breast cancer, and the rebels are cells that are multiplying out of control. But you shouldn’t be afraid, because there are medicines that can wipe them out forever.”

      “So you’re going to get better?” asked Prince James.

      “Yes, I’m going to get better, but it’s not going to be easy. You see, this is going to be a big battle, so I’ve called for the very finest soldiers in the world to help me out. One of them is a general who’s fought in a lot of wars like mine. He’s very wise, and he’s worked out a strategy for me to win. If I go along with it, he says I’m almost sure to succeed.”