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TO READ ON HOLIDAYS: Maria Kostenko, 10b


An Ancient Tradition of the Italian People
By Maria Kostenko, 10b

The action takes place some hundreds years ago in Italy. It was several hours before New Year celebration. A young couple was preparing their festive table. As we know, Italian people are very temperamental and their blood is hot. Everything was ok when suddenly a quarrel began.
Rosella: I don't like this green tablecloth! The following year is the year of the Red Fire Rooster. This is the year when you need to work hard and be patient in order to achieve your goals. That’s why you must learn to make concessions right now! Keep calm and change this tablecloth for the red one!
Placida: Do it by yourself! Did my mother present this wonderful green practically new tablecloth to you vainly?

*He threw the red tablecloth on the floor*

Rosella: I have never liked it! Neither I like this ugly sweater knitted by your dear mummy!
*She threw her husband's sweater knitted by his mother out of the window*
A serious quarrel between the couple didn't stop and increased every moment. The couple threw out of the window cookware, furniture and even clothes.
Unexpenctedly, appeared Fairy Befana.
In Italian folklore, Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St Nicholas or Santa Claus.
Befana: Why don’t you stop screaming like crazy? I was sweetly sleeping in your attic before THE BIG DAY, January 5, which will be really exhausting for the elderly lady like me.
Placida: It’s not my Fault!
Rosella: Don’t listen to this stupid mule!
Befana: Will you just SHUT UP, please.
Placida and Rosella continue yelling and arguing.
Befana: No, they won’t, I guess.
She sends a spell on them.
She reconciled young people and told them that all things they lost in old year they would find in the following. Since then the Italians have a tradition to throw out of their windows old stuff on the New Year Eve as a symbol of prosperity.