Many people ask me, "Where did Spicy Cricket come from?"
The answer lies on the island of Morita just off the coast of Costa Rica. Spicy's father was the best dancer in all of Costa Rica and he was following in his papa's footsteps. He would watch as his father taught the royal court of Morita how to dance. This is when Princess Mariposa caught his eye. He was smitten. The King of Morita saw this infatuation and intended to end it as quickly as it started. Knowing that Spicy's father was quite the lathario, he imagined Spicy was the same. Besides, Spicy Cricket was not a royal.
King Pedro Pollia placed a sentence of exile upon Spicy Cricket and banned him from the island of Morita.
The Legend of Spicy Cricket is a famous tale from the island of Morita. Spicy followed in his father's footsteps as the best dancer in all of Costa Rica. He performed for Kings and Queens on all of the neighboring islands. King Pedro Polilla banished Spicy from the island of Morita to prevent him from pursuing the King's daughter, Princess Mariposa. Once banished, Spicy Cricket fled to Mexico where he met a true amigo named Estaban, the Mexican dung beetle. Enjoying cervezas at the local cantina, Spicy hears of his father's death and know he must return to Morita to avenge his father's honor. Little does he know that Prince Luis of snail island will be waiting for him.
Firelight flickers across Spicy Cricket's face as he tells the whole tale. The sounds of the jungle fade as his words fall upon the leaves of the forest. We hitched a ride from a fisherman with a leaky boat from Mexico to Morita. I was just happy to be getting warm and dry by the fire. Spicy Cricket's face is twisted with sorrow as he speaks..."Estaban, my good friend, I must tell you everything before daylight." I waited for Spicy's words patiently. As he pauses, a howl comes from the jungle and sends a shiver up my spine. I showed no fear in my eyes being the tough Mexican dung beetle I am. The worst was yet to come...
