Intro -- The fire and other stories -- The fire -- The day Mabata-Bata exploded -- How Ascolino do Perpétuo Socorro lost his spouse -- So you haven't flown yet, Carlota Gentina? -- The whales of Quissico -- The tale of the two who returned from the dead -- Patanhoca, the lovesick snake catcher -- The barber's most famous customer -- Rosa Caramela -- The bird-dreaming baobab -- The Russian princess -- The blind fisherman -- Woman of me -- The Flagpoles of beyondwards -- The waters of time and other stories -- The waters of time -- Novidade's flowers -- Blind Estrelinho -- The perfume rain -- Felizbento's pipe -- Jorojão's cradle of memories -- Lamentations of a coconut tree -- Beyond the river bend -- High-heel shoes -- Joãotónio, for now -- That devil of an advocate -- The deaf father -- Square of the gods -- Sea loves me and other stories -- The tearful cook's journey -- The daughter of solitude -- The widower -- A girl without words -- The very last eclipse -- The Indian with the golden crotch -- The marine house -- Rungo Alberto at fantasy's whim -- The dribbler -- Sentenced to burn -- The child's heart and the heart's child -- Bartolominha and the pelican Isaura, forever within me -- Dona Elisa's belch -- The blessing -- A last look at love -- The dead man's revelations -- Ezequiela, humanity -- The captain's lover -- The assault -- Bereavement -- Stop the dance! -- Rosita1 -- The falling man -- The basket -- The deferred grandfather -- On that special night -- Isidorangela's fat name -- The string and the beads -- Entry into Heaven -- Beggar Friday playing in the World Cup -- The owner of the man's dog -- The tearful males -- The grandmother, the city, and the traffic lights -- A fish for Eulália -- Sea loves me -- Notes -- About the author.