By Joseph Cacibauda
A Tarantella Tale
Lamp aglow in
casa evenings
Nonna Pina’s
Story to spin.
Children gathered
All around her
Faces beaming
Then she’d begin.
“Once a woman
Not an old one
Had two Children
Not very bright.
She wove baskets
Sold them quickly
Hid the money
Out of plain sight.
Giuseppuzzu
Rosalina
Spied her open
A coffee can.
Stuff her money
Most her earnings
What was left she
Paid the taxman
‘Momma Momma’
They did cry out
‘Why you hide your
Money that way?’
‘It’s for hard times
That may soon come
So I have to
Save for the day.’
Nonna mentioned
She did stress
Giusepp’ and Rosa
Had pasta for brains
Blabbed to their friends
Of the money
Saved for hard times
Hidden away.
Now it happened
That a classmate
Guido Latru
Heard of the can.
Told his uncle
There was money
He might eas’ly
Get in his hands
Ziu Latru
Hid in shadows
Watching Momma
Leave for the day.
When she did leave
Ziu Latru
Crept up slowly
Sizing his prey
‘Oh my children
My sweet children
Is your momma
Available, my dears?’
‘She has left sir,’
Said the two kids
‘Well she asked I
Meet her right here.
I’m expected
Did she tell you?
I do need the
Money you see.
I am Hard Times
Now please tell me
Where the hidden
money mighty be.
Rosalina
and Giuseppe
So well mannered
Obedient too.
Got the can that
Mom had hidden
Brought it to him
‘It’s all for you.’
‘Momma Momma’
They were so proud
We have something
Special to say.
While you were gone
Mister Hard Times
Came to take his
Money away.’
“Did she beat those
Naughty children?”
Nonna Pina’s
Niputi asked.
“What would you do?”
Said their Nonna.
Think about it
It’s time for bed.”
