frenesi2

a novel for gift

the young shrimp by Gianni Rodari

once upon a time, under the sea, lived a young shrimp.
he wasn't like the others.
he didn't like the way the other shrimps go walking.
*they look so funny walking backwards, with the back in the place where the head should be! in this way you can't see what's going on, you can't see where you are going!*
so he decided to start walking forward, with the head looking at what was happening around.
he started making exercise.
at the beginning it was difficult, really difficult. he wasn't used to it so he crashed everywhere and at the end of the day he was full of scars.
but he insisted.
*I think that this is the best way to walk, the right way... I have to go on!*
and everyday he practised.
when he was good enough in walking forward, he decided to show his goal to the family.
he called them all, and when everybody was there, he made a wonderful run forward.
they looked at him surprised.
then his mother started to cry *oh, son, what's happening to you? are you crazy? why you couldn' walk like me, like your father, like your brothers?*
his brothers were laughing.
his father was angry *son, I am really upset. I don't wanna see you anymore doing such a bullshit. If you want to continue this way, you're not my son anymore. go away, because I don't want to see this scandal in my family*
the young shrimp loved so much his mum, his dad, the family... but he was sure to be right and decided to leave. walking forward, obviously.
one day, he met a group of gossipy jellyfishes.
they looked at him with such eyes (ehm I dont' know where they have eyes but anyway...).
*uhm, now the shrimps walk forward!*
*the world goes crazy!*
*how will we end up?*
the young shrimp pretended to not hear them, going straight on his way.
another day, he met an old shrimp. he was sitting on a stone and as soon as he saw the young one, he started to talk to him.
*what are you doing? stop immediatly to walk that way, please! hear me: when I was young I was like you. I had great ideas and I wanted to change the world. look at me now, I'm alone and sad and nobody talk to me*
the young shrimp was really sorry for the old one, but at the same time sure to be right.
he smiled to the old shrimp and continue to walk forward.
......................
we don't know where he arrived, if he had the strenght to change all the wrong things in the world, if he never met someone like him...
all we know is that for sure he continued to follow his idea, walking forward.

and all we can say to him is good luck, young shrimp!