From my childhood, every time Christmas approached with the carols, I would hear from my father the story of the burgundy sandals. I liked it and it moved me every time I heard it, because I couldn't fathom that his parents couldn't buy him shoes for Christmas.

My brother Achilles and I were always taken care of, ensuring we never lacked anything, especially during these holy days. I considered it my duty to write down my father's childhood story, which I had memorized after all these years; I simply wrote it down.

(From the epilogue)