You have such a feel for the Little World, and this story fits into Guareschi's style as if it had really happened in the little village on the banks of the Po. Lovely use of music as something which completely unites the community, both in puzzled disapproval at an unfamiliar but theoretical premise, then in joyous wonder at the reality it expresses so clearly.

Without saying a word, Leonora says everything, and it's entirely fitting that she allows her music to speak so very clearly, and with such absolute truth.

Very well done - I love this story!

This is an amazing introduction to the films- I actually can't believe this isn't a part of a novel in and of itself- so if the movies and stories are half as good as this, it's well worth tracking down. Love the footnotes even. (Trivia, I live for it.)