Espejo de Paciencia is considered the first Cuban literary work. Written in 1608 by Silvestre de Balboa the story truly occurred in 1604 and it is about the kidnapping of the bishop of Cuba Juan de las Cabezas Altamirano by the French corsair Gilberto Giron who was trying to get money from the rescue. Then, the inhabitants of Bayamo village decided to attack the corsair during the exchange.

The writing shows several images of the colonial Cuba such as religion, social and economical division, ethnic groups and contraband.