Woman and babies at dawn outside a hut by the beach with pigs and cacti. Illustration style.

A peaceful early morning scene outside and inside a small brush house near the beach in a rural village. The sky is still dark with stars visible, but the eastern horizon glows with a pale wash of dawn light. Outside, roosters are crowing and pigs are rooting through twigs and debris. A clump of prickly pear cactus (tuna clump) is nearby, with small birds fluttering and chirping. Inside the simple brush house, a man named Kino lies on a mat, just waking up. He looks toward a square-shaped doorway where dim light is entering. Nearby, a hanging wooden box or cradle holds a sleeping baby, Coyotito. Beside Kino lies his wife, Juana, wrapped in a blue head shawl that covers her nose, chest, and back. Her dark eyes are open and watching Kino, reflecting faint star-like lights. The mood is calm, tender, and quiet, with the soft sound of morning waves in the distance. See more