By Noel Serrano
My Father never had much in life. He was raised by his Grandmother because his young mother Felicita was too busy taking care of herself, her husband and her large family. Francisco was raised in the hills of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. His two uncles Jose and Juan were brought up together as brothers. Puerto Rico in the 1920s, were tough times. In the years ahead, the Great Depression would make this tiny island even more difficult for the families that struggled to survive. Francisco often spoke about a young Missionary named Mr Drury. He mentored the young Francisco and taught him English and about nobility, love of God and country. The young boy learned well and became a very responsible and devoted tutor. Mr Drury became very fond of young Francisco and helped him very much during these early years. There friendship was very similar to that of the two stars in the movie; the Karate kid. Francisco spoke to us about the many antics that he and his sister Mina use to do in between doing their daily chores. One day Panchito (as he was nick-named forever) gazed up at the big ducks flying about. This really impressed him. He went into the barn and saw the baby pigs and wondered out loud if they could fly too. One by one, Panchito threw them way up to the sky and they made a loud thump as they plunged to the ground. Some of those little pigs did not feel so well. When Panchito's grandparents came home and saw the sprawled pigs, they inquired; "What happened, Little Panchito was starry eyed and stood angelically quiet. His little sister Mina declared; "Pano, Pano, Bolla, Bolla," {fly, fly) The grand parents quickly learned what had happened. Panchito was whipped for this little undertaking.
Francisco Serrano was a hard working young man who was raised as a Baptist. He began preaching at a young age and the mysterious death of his father matured him before his time........(To be continued)
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