In 1940, in Barrio de los Sapos in Puebla, Remigio Gomez crashed his car into a light pole. He thanks the Child of Atocha because he only smashed his snout and lost his teeth.

The boy Timoteo Gomez didn’t want to harm his little brother but knock out his two teeth with his yo-yo. He thanks the Holy Child of Atocha because their parents didn’t spank him till death and his brother feels better now.

Samuel Rodrigues fell in love with two mermaids. They enchanted him with their singing. He couldn’t eat, he couldn’t sleep, he didn’t want to work but spent all days long at the bottom of the laguna. Until one day he saw the mermaids eating with their big sharp-toothed mouth. He thanks the Virgin of the Rosary for delivering him from those monsters’ spell.

Yolanda Rivera was hired as a wet-nurse. But the baby had teeth and used to bite her. Yolanda thanks Saint Paschal Baylon because she has found another job and doesn’t have to suffer from this baby anymore.

The street clown Pancho Ruiz was loud-mouthing a driver, and the driver hit him in the face. Pancho thanks Saint John of the Cross for he only lost one tooth. He promises not to be rude and be more polite with people.

The Pedro Ramirez’ father taught him how to ride a horse. But the horse got crazy, and Pedro fell down hitting his mug. He thanks the Holy Child of Atocha with this retablo for he only lost two teeth.

Demetrio Hernandez worked as referee in a championship fight, and he was knocked out by mistake of the boxer «Kid» Rodriguez. He thanks St. Jude Thaddeus with this retablo, because he only lost two teeth and nothing seriously bad happened. Some time later he returned to work.

Tijuana, 1968

I was afraid of the dark since childhood. I couldn’t overcome it. One day I went to the cellar to get some oil, and the door was shut by a whiff of air. I was locked in the cellar. I couldn’t get out. It was dark, I started to see angry eyes, sharp fangs and hands that were about to grab me. I was losing my mind. Then I started to pray to the Holy Child of Atocha who became a light of sanity for me until my daughter came back and unlocked me.

My neighbor loved to listen radio very loudly until one day I hit him in the teeth. I ask Saint Francis to forgive me for my bad action, which I went to jail for.

The street clown Transitas asked for some coins in a very rude manner. And one thing he got is being beaten by some badass car driver. He thanks the Virgin of Juquila that he only lost some teeth.

I dedicate this retablo to Saint Fermin because my company transferred me to the telemarketing department. So, now that I don’t have to deal face to face with the customers, I am able to proudly wear the fattest diamond grillz money can buy.

Demetrio Hernandez worked as referee in a championship fight, and he was knocked out by mistake of the boxer «Kid» Rodriguez. He thanks St. Patrick with this retablo, because he only lost two teeth and nothing seriously bad happened. Some time later he turned to work.

Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua

Arturo Fernandez kept talking on his cellphone in the cinema, until one big fellow didn’t push the phone in the Arturo’s mouth. Arturo thanks Saint John of the Cross for he didn’t lose his teeth and promise not to be so reckless.