Often Pedro took his little friend Carmen to visit Rey, who lived in a field outside the city. Today they had come out for the last time before the famous bullfight was to take place.
Both were very sad. Carmen, too, had grown to love Rey, and the big creature seemed fond of her.
Sometimes the girl would practice upon her castanets out in the field. And always when Rey heard the clicking song of the instruments, he would come up close to the young couple and stand quietly listening.
Do you wonder that this was a sorrowful day in the lives of Carmen and Pedro?
"If only we could think of some way to save him!" sighed Carmen.
She and Pedro sat upon a fence in the field. Around them rose mountains, hazy in the sun. Small stone houses cuddled among old scrub oak trees.
Suddenly Pedro's eyes sparkled. "I have it!" he cried. "I have a plan! Do you remember the bull whose life was saved during a bullfight, because he came to his owner when he was called?"
Carmen nodded. She remembered well. All Spain had heard of it.
"Then why should not Rey, too, be given this chance?" asked Pedro. "Why should he not be spared if he answers a call?"
"But who will call him?" asked Carmen.