Welcome to The Moth Podcast. I'm Larry Rosen, master instructor of the moth, and your host for this Independence Day episode.

The term the American dream is often attributed to author and historian James Truslow Adams.

Adams spoke of a nation in which every person can

first attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and second,

be recognized by others for what they are. In this episode, we hear from someone who worked to achieve both of those aims.

Juan Rodriguez told this story at a moth main stage. In 2015, with the theme of the night,

was Don't Look Back, stories from the teenage years. Here's Juan, live at the Moth. Sitting outside this house in New Orleans

in Mowlaredo, Mexico,

I was feeling tired, I was sweaty,

but most of anything, I was really hungry.

I mean, I've been on the bus for 18 hours.

But I was there. I was excited.

If he blocks down, it's the USA, the land of plenty, the land of dreams that I hear so much about.

So my dad came out of the house, still talking to this lady. I didn't know what they were talking about.

I was only 15 years old.

My dad comes to me and says, we have a deal.

She's going to bring you across the border for $50.

I said, great, let's do it.

That's what we're here for.

So he said, give me more instructions. Let's do it. Let's, that's what we're here for.

So he said, give me more instructions.

He said, just get on the truck and don't say anything.

...