Tradotto dall’autore – Copyright: ©Paolo Giovannetti, 2024
Questa storia brevissima (flash-story) accenna al tema della ribellione, in questo caso di una categoria di animali, che in una ipotetica circostanza si trova perseguitata. Una coppia ordinaria non vede rientrare il suo amato gatto: cosa gli sarà successo? Tutto in un contesto geopolitico in cui le cose in Medio Oriente sembrano migliorare (all’opposto di quanto accade oggi…)
(Il racconto originale in italiano è stato pubblicato nella raccolta: “Tentativo di fuga“, Linea Edizioni, 2019 (disponibile anche su Amazon o presso l’autore)
Christmas Holidays were already a thing of the past but the poster “Merry Christmas” was still stuck where the Christmas’s tree stood, on that low cabinet where it usually nestled Willy the cat, but now Willy wasn’t there.
Antonio was reading the paper and Irma, his wife, looking to the cabinet, seemed to be worried. He said that maybe Willy had left the house to take a stroll around the garden as he used to do in the evening. But that morning they didn’t see him coming back.
Antonio raised his eyes from the paper and looked out of the window: the newstand’s van was still parked outside his house. «That’s a bit strange», he thought. Then turning to his wife: «Look here Irma what a good news! They say that Israelis and Palestinians have found an agreement at last, two countries for two peoples, and then America is also reconciling with the Iranian ayatollahs and finally the two Coreas are dealing with reunification. From east to west peace seems to have broken out.» Irma put down her cup of coffee: «It’s really great news Antonio, this new year started in the best way! But I am still worried about Willy who has not come back yet, you should go out and look for him». «Be quiet my dear, soon I’ll go out to see». After a while, his glasses glasses back on, exclaimed: «Here instead is a bad news: “Third cat slaughtered this week. Cruel treatment towards these pets are increasing exponentially.”» Irma jumped up and pointed a finger at the door: «These unfortunates who do not know how to spend time! Now I’m even more worried about our Willy.»
Antonio got into his bomber and boots, dashed out and glanced into the garden: but no trace of Willy. The morning of early January was particularly cold and he was a bit numb, opened the gate and started down the streets of the neighborhood. At that time there was usually a certain movement, someone in a car or someone on foot or by bicycle, went to work or school. But that day no living soul passed, except cats. There were many, more than anyone could imagine, pet and stray cats wandering softly together along the street. Antonio, looking at them, noticed an unusual thing: each one had his tail up and on it stood a yellow sheet tied with a ribbon in which one could read something. Antonio became even more uneasy when he saw some cars parked aside the alley with their doors open and no human being around. After a few steps, he saw a gray-streaked cat: yes! But of course, it was Willy! He tried to call him, but he first escaped, then came back, stopped for a moment and turning around showed the sign on the tail, it said: “I’m very busy, do not bother me.”
Antonio remained motionless, staring at another tail where the sign said: “For you biped is over: we will crush you all like rats!”
Le Mie Storie 