The tale of the Gentleman of Paris (Cuban story)

Allow me to tell the story of the gentleman from Paris, although he wasn't really from Paris, he was pretty much a gentleman.

His real name was Jose Maria and was actually from Spain, he moved to Cuba with his family seeking fortune in the Americas. Jose Maria grew up and fell in love, but faith will have that his love wouldn't have a happy ending, Jose Maria's bride to be died before the wedding and he vowed never to marry. He takes a job with a merchant were he begins to thrive, but success often brings jealousy and a coworker frame's Jose Maria as the author of a crime.

Jose Maria is wrongfully convicted to prison, after a few years he's released and begins to wonder the streets of La Havana wearing a suit, reciting poems and doing errands in exchange for food.

He soon becomes a celebrity of sorts in Old Havana, earning the nickname of Gentleman from Paris due to his chivalry and distinguished look. Legend has it that the Gentleman from Paris was allowed to eat and drink for free in most restaurants in Old Havana. He finally died from old age and was granted a public funeral well worthy of such a character, were thousands of residents of La Havana paid their final respects to the beloved Gentleman from Paris.

After his dead a statue was erected in Old Havana right by the temple of San Francisco (see picture) where women grab the statue by the finger hoping to find a chivalrous boyfriend and men grab the statue's beard hoping to be recognized as real gentleman like the Gentleman from Paris (and hopefully never paying for a drink and a meal for the rest of their lives, lol).