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Awaiting the arrival of La Befana
When I was a child on January 5th I used to leave a glass of milk for La Befana and hay for her donkey. I also hung up a sock for the presents she brought and then I went to sleep and started dreaming of La Befana's arrival. Sweets...toys...Salgari's books...La Befana is the Italian alternative to Santa Claus. She is an old woman who delivers gifts to good children and lumps of coal to bad children. Today she flies on her broomstick but in the past she rode a mule. Every year she arrives on th -
A sudden wake-up
One Eve I was awakened by a noise... I thought La Befana had arrived. I was so excited by that idea that I got up silently to go and peep her... At last I could see her!I tiptoed to the living room but I suddenly stopped: my dad, mum and granny were wrapping and arranging the presents for my brother and me.!!!!...I slowly went back to sleep. -
The next morning
I hid my disappointment, said nothing to my family and tried to enjoy the day with my presents. To tell the truth I can't remember any of them!
I think I made the right choice to keep that 'surprise' secret. Life, in fact, has taught me iwe can hurt the people we love in spite of our good intentions.
