FEBRUARY TALE

WINNING STORY

Carnival in Madrid

Once upon a time, in Madrid, there lived a girl named Clara who had a new English friend named Alicia, who had come to visit the town on an exchange program. That day was Carnival, and Clara was very excited because there was a lively celebration, full of color and folk songs. All the girls who wanted to participate in the Carnival spent a lot of time rehearsing the dances so they could perform them that day. Their costumes were adorned with feathers and glitter. Everything was incredibly colorful and fantastic. On Carnival day, Alicia learned the dance and performed it with Clara. They had a wonderful time. After a delicious dinner filled with laughter and traditional dishes, they all went to Clara's house for a sleepover. The living room was overrun with sleeping bags, cushions, and a trail of glitter that gave them away: the spirit of Carnival didn't want to leave!

Alicia, still excited about the parade, kept humming the songs she had learned. "In England we have carnivals, but this is... amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. To make the night even more special, Clara brought out a speaker and proposed one last challenge: an impromptu dance competition in

pajamas.

Clara's friends split into two groups. They used the feathers that had fallen from their costumes to decorate their hairstyles and, between jumps on the sofa and giggles, put on a show worthy of the best stage in Torre Pacheco. Alicia, who already felt like a true Murcian, taught the others some dance steps popular in her city, blending the rhythm of Carnival with an international flair.

When exhaustion finally overtook them, they lay down in the dark to share secrets. Alicia confessed that, before coming, she had been nervous about not understanding the language, but that the dancing and the joy of the people had made her feel right at home. Clara hugged her and promised that next year, she would be the one to visit Alicia and experience an equally magical

adventure.

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