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### Patrician Silver

### A strange case for the Professor

Topaz Poltron

A strange case for the Professor Topaz Poltron

Copyright © 2012 Patrician Silver Copyright © 2012 Zerounoundicis Editions ISBN: 978-88-6578-217-0 Cover: Caesar's Scardulla Image

_"Work proposal autonomously from the author and not submitted to selection"_

# The Professor and his/her simple existence

In distant America dark and precisely in the New Hampshire, next to the city of Concord, on to hill of to small, but I know small country, that nobody remembers the name of it and on the maps it is as soon as to dot, in to house burdens strampalata, his/her pacific and solitary existence the Professor Mice Poltron lived. Its true name was not Mice but Topaz, and it was due to the insane passion that his/her mother fed for the jewels. But Topaz was indeed a name inusuale and all, in family, you/they had ended up calling him/it Mice.

The Professor conducted indeed a solitary life from when you/he/she had left the university, where you/he/she had taught for so many years ancient history, to devote himself/herself/themselves to his/her searches. One day, so to the sudden one, you/he/she had decided that was time to retire himself/herself/themselves from the life" public" and you/he/she had returned in the New Hampshire, away from everybody, to live in his/her cottage among his/her beloved books.

The great house on top of the hill had indeed an unusual aspect, as after all also the Professor. You/he/she had been built in different times; at first you/he/she had been made the close-up, then a great patio and a second floor had finally been lifted. To see out her from also seemed some twist, perhaps for the fact that the boundaries were painted all of different colors, as if the varnish had not been enough for painting her/it all equal. Then the garden resembled to a jungle, so much was uncultivated. In winter, during the abundant snowfalls it assumed such a candid aspect and become less frequent by to seem magic. The Professor Topi was not certain type to devote himself/herself/themselves to the gardening and he left that the weeds grew free and luxuriant. It didn't even pass for his head to make some physical efforts, he loved the sedentariness, the maximum one of the work that conceived be sit in front of the fireplace to read.

In effects, even if you/he/she had wanted, you/he/she would not have been able because it didn't have of some one mighty physicist: it was thin, but so thin that could pass from the neck of a bottle. It was not such an old man, but of certain it was not even young. In more the strange life that conducted did him/it seem even more faded. The hair, smooth as spaghetti, continually slipped him on the forehead and the beard some uncultivated they did him/it appear thinner than it was not and its attire démodé gave him an almost funny air, from old gentleman of country. Vest and small pocket clock had not been brought for years anymore! As if it was not enough, it also had the mannerism to wear, in the rare occasions" worldly" to which participated, of the funny cravattinis that seemed gone out of the trunk of a circus and to perpetually hold in hand an old pipe, that however it rarely turned on. To the Professor, in fact, it didn't like to smoke, but it believed whether to hold a pipe in hand gave him a certain researcher charm.

The Professor Topi, as we said, he/she lived only in his/her cottage everything, made exception for the presence of Pin, a bastardino from the well determined color not, that will define salt and pepper, that is white neither black. You/he/she had found him/it a morning along the road that coasted along the river and you/he/she had picked up him/it not so much for love toward the animals, whether not to have subsequently remorses of conscience. Pin was badly off, undernourished and dirty indeed and the Professor not if the era felt to leave alone there it. This way you/he/she had picked him/it up, brought by the veterinarian and parish priest. You/he/she had bought two bowls, one for the water and one for the food and if the was brought home. You/he/she had made him a kennel in the vain one of entry of the kitchen and from the day when Pin had been, rather leg, in his/her house you/he/she was limited to give him to eat and to fill the other bowl with fresh water. For the rest it ignored him/it completely. There were not never caresses on his/her behalf neither tail-waggings from Pin. The only concession that did him was to bring him/it with itself when it went in country to eat.

Pin followed him/it silent, him trotting behind, and, once arrived in front of the restaurant, he crouched and it waited that the Professor went out for returning home. Everything had not gone so badly then him, a bowl of eats up assured every day is not what to throw away, above all for a half-caste little dog as him!

That day the Professor Topi and the small Pin already returned to house that the sun tramontava. Arrivals in front of the gate the Professor remembered to check the mail: you/he/she waited for an important answer for an article that you/they had to publish him on a prestigious magazine. It opened the cassette and a letter found you. It forked the glasses and he/she read the name of whom had sent him her. A perplexed instant remained: it was a yellow envelope, of those great, and you/he/she had been sent him by a certain Notary Pennetta. For how much he strove, didn't remember to know someone with that last name and didn't have to whether to do with any notary! Therefore, just entered house, you/he/she had placed the letter on the piece of furniture of the entry, intending himself/herself/itself to open her/it in a second time and you/he/she was directed in his/her study for a deserved rest after the long walk. Pin was raced in its kennel; from that moment the relationships with its master were finished up to the lunch of the next day. And yes, because the Professor never ate to house since was not able of not to even cook an egg to the coque, let's show up us something more complicated! He/she hardly knew how to prepare a coffee the morning and a tea the afternoon. The kitchen was a room to him stranger apart those two brief episodes. The most greater part of the day passed her/it closed in the study to read or to listen to music. It didn't even have the television and the silence it almost always reigned sovereign. You occupied little of the domestic matters, it never shopped and it didn't interest him of what happened around him. In the house it dominated an absolute order, made exception for the study where, as we have already said, it habitually passed the days and the dust it reigned in every where. You felt enough satisfied of that slow life that flowed serene. It went to sleep as soon as it did dark and it got up with to rise some sun.

All, therefore, seemed to proceed with an almost perfect equilibrium.

# But, because there is always a but, to interrupt this state of things, the next morning intervened a sudden ring of telephone.

#

#

#

### The arrival of the Notary

The Professor jolted, didn't even remember to have him/it the telephone! A perplexed instant looked at him/it. Who could be never? Nobody had been calling him/it for years, not even his/her Amethyst sister, the only relative that had; he/she lived from the other head of America, in the South depth, and it limited him to send him the wishes of Christmas and good Easter, because by now their relationships they were nonexistent. For the precision from about twenty years, from when she had decided to marry an adventurer without neither art nor part and French. You/he/she had not gone not to even find her/it when his/her first and only nephew had been born, let's show up us if now you/he/she would have answered to the telephone.

The ring continued incessant for some minutes, then the silence lowered again.

The Professor and supported the back to the armchair to taste finds again her/it calm. But one minute after the ring even interrupted again the quiet of its day. Become impatient, it fixed the horrendous instrument striking by lightning him/it with the look. Five, six, seven rings, seemed to never stop. Then, to the sudden one, again silence. To that point the Professor Topi was seen forced to take a drastic decision. It got up from the armchair rather irritated and it directed him without hesitation toward the telephone, that had started over playing in the meantime, not certain to answer. Attended with patience that stopped again to ring, after that it lifted the cornet and it leaned her/it close to the instrument. Nobody would have more it disturbed, that morning neither those to come.

They passed the days and the episode of the telephone you/he/she had been completely forgotten, as after all the mysterious letter that had received and that you/he/she had never opened.

A morning, exceptionally of buon'ora to hurry some matters, the Professor Topi was prepared to go out for the usual walk that would have conducted him/it in country, when the noise of an automobile gained its attention. Who could be never? The road where he/she lived it was not certain of passage and on the hill it never risked him anybody, made exception for the lumberman that the firewood furnished him for the fireplace. But this happened only to beginning winter and by now he was almost in March.

The Professor made spallucce, of certain you/he/she had to treat him of someone who had mistaken road.

The ring of the bell did him/it jolt. It went toward the window and it peered at out. A man was firm in front of the gate and tried to see if in the house there was someone. A new trill broke the usual silence of the house.

The Professor opened the window and threw out the head.

«You/he/she can be known who look for?» it rather howled in discourteous tone.

«Good morning, excuses me, I have perhaps mistaken road. Poltron I looked for the Professor Topazio, would you know how to tell me where I can find him/it?»

This then! There was no anybody mistake: they looked for indeed him.

«I am me, in thing I can help you?»

«I have to speak to you of urgent business.»

«Which these business would be? I don't make business with anybody!» he/she answered resentful.

«You excuse, of urgent matters that concern your family.» he corrected the man.

The Professor wrinkled the forehead, thoughtful. Of certain it dealt with Amethyst; it was her the only one" family" that it had. It went to the entry and it crushed a button, the gate made a release and opened, allowing to enter the stranger.

«Tells me who she is.» it thundered threatening in front of the door.

«I am a notary, the notary Pennetta in New Orleans. If it makes me enter I will explain her all.»

The Professor widened the braccias and opened the door allowing to enter the notary. It was by now some that dealt with Amethyst.

They went to sit down himself/herself/themselves in the study and the new entered it started to explain the motive for which was brought there. His/her Amethyst sister had passed to good life leaving only his/her only child, but first you/he/she had decided, in his/her will, to name guardian of it his/her brother. The Professor Poltron almost jumped from the chair. Amethyst there was not more and he would have had to deal himself/herself/themselves with his/her nephew!

«You excuse me, but would not it be more correct than it was him/it his/her father?»

«Certain, if was here! They are years that his/her news is not had: Gerard Levarcoque is anymore immediately enfeebled in the nothing after the birth of Lulù.»

«You excuse, but it was not a male my nephew?» he/she asked the Professor, more and more perplexed.

«Certain, it is a male. Does it say for the name? It is French, Mr. Gerard has wanted that called this way.»

«Let's show up us, from one as him you/he/she could not be waited better us of.»

«However, before taking any decision about it, I beg her/it to read the letter that his/her sister has written her.»

The Notary handed him a sealed envelope and the Professor the takings, reluctant, among the hands. It slowly opened her, it put the glasses on the nose and it began to read in silence. After that it refolded the sheet and the rinfilò in the envelope, without making some comment.

«And where is the boy found? now» churches after some minutes.

«In car, together with my assistant. Is clear that her Mrs. Amethyst has left to fund for all the necessities of his/her/their child; its assignment, therefore, at least from the economic point of view, it won't be I know onerous then.»

«Certain, I believe him/it, the boy is almost of age, even among a few years you/he/she will be autonomous and you/he/she can choose to live where he wants.»

Now it was the notary to be perplexed and it looked at the Professor in strange way.

«There is something that doesn't go?» he/she asked Poltron realizing a molt question.

«No, everything is all right. But does she know him/it Lulù?»

«No, I have never seen him. Because?»

«Beh.» The notary made to small break, then it continued. «Lulù is a special boy.»

«Special in that sense?»

«In all the senses. It is otherwise a skilled boy.»

The Professor did him thoughtful. Had you/he/she known so many of it of boys during his/her years of teaching; because Lulù ever had to be different?

«And with this? It is my nephew and this it makes already it special. Tell him to go down from the car, this it is by now his/her house.»

«It is sure of it?»

The Professor didn't answer and limited him to nod.

It was so that Lulù entered to make part of Professor Mice's life, that he/she didn't almost know anything about boys. There was no need of a lot of words, it seemed that Lulù was well conscious of what was happening him. The Professor limited him to present himself/herself/themselves with a formal handshake as you/he/she is used among" men" and to look him/it at incuriosito. As resembled to Amethyst! It had the same hair blond ash, the clear complexion and the same sweet look and some lost. Physically it owed of certain to resemble to Gerard. Was tall and strong, nothing to do with the slender figure of his/her sister!

It put on of accord with the notary, it signed all the papers that it had to undersign, it made him explain what the will concerned and finally accompanied the man to the door. When it closed again her/it it had the awareness that from that instant its life would be radically changed.

Naturally, with this whole scombussolamento, the Professor forgot that you/he/she would be due to go in country to settle matters and you/he/she withdrew him in the study to" to reflect" on the to make himself/herself/themselves.

The first hours of cohabitation were all right, also because Lulù made friends with Pin and ignored completely his/her uncle. To the twelve in point he/she introduced him in the study: «Uncle Mice, hunger wolves.» it limited him to say.

The Professor looked at the clock and consented. «Are right! It is almost time of lunch, you put the jacket that he goes to eat in country.»

Lulù if it didn't do him/it repeat twice and, in men that is not said, it was on the door, ready to go out.

They set out along the road, the thin Professor, the corpulent Lulù and the small Pin, trotterellante and happy to have found a new friend.

# Life with his/her/their nephew

The afternoon went by calm and the Professor, absorbed in the reading, it had almost forgotten the existence of his/her/their nephew. The usual habit of the afternoon tea pushed him/it to go out of the study to approach himself/herself/themselves in the kitchen. Almost opened the door and the takings a hit! All the walls of the corridor had changed aspect: great flowers detached on the white walls.

You turned and he/she saw his/her nephew intent to draw on a door.

«Fermo!» it summoned him with severe voice.

The boy stopped him and looked him/it at some frightened.

«You/he/she can be known what bushels doing?»

«Painting.» Lulù responded, candidly.

«Yes, this I see him/it, but it doesn't paint him on the walls.»

«I didn't have sheets.»

«Certain, you didn't have sheets, but you could ask me them.»

«You slept.»

Lightning and arrows there were not toward to be right with that boy!

«It is all right, excuse, has been my guilt. Now I will give you the sheets so you can draw.» it went to the study, taken some white sheets and it returned from his/her nephew.

«Here you can draw here, how much you like.» it told him handing him the sheets. «You want to come in the kitchen to take a tea?»

Lulù nodded and followed him/it silent. The Professor prepared the tea and was about to go to his/her study, when you/he/she reflected that you/he/she was better to remain in kitchen and threshold the possible damages.

It returned back and he/she sat him to the table together with his/her/their nephew.

«You like the tea?» he/she asked the Professor trying to make some conversation. Lulù looked at him/it of sottecchi and limited him to nod, but it didn't seem satisfied by that drink. The Professor nodded in turn and the attempt of conversation died there.

«I believe that I will return in the study, you want to come with me or you prefer to remain here to draw?» churches, lifting himself/herself/itself. The boy ignored him/it and kept on drinking the tea to small sips.

«Well, if you need me you know whether to find me.» it said, going out of the room.

The silence wound again the house and the Professor it now forgot his/her nephew up to of supper, when the scene of the morning repeated him.

# On the path that conducted in country the thin Professor, the corpulent Lulù and the small Pin they walked, direct to the inn to dine.

#

#

#

# The eyes sleep

Sat to the table next to the window, the Professor and his/her nephew they ate in silence. The man had chosen the usual soup of vegetables and the young Lulù an abundant dish of pasta to the meat sauce. There was not really anything to be said, the boy it had a formidable appetite. He/she ate to four palmentis and it was a pleasure to look at him/it. But to make conversation really it didn't have to discuss. It seemed that Lulù was disinterested to whatever type of relationship with his/her/their uncle. On the other hand you/he/she could not be given him blame, it was only one day that you/they were known.

Once in house each taken different directions: the Professor, as usual, toward his/her study to listen to some music before going to sleep, and the young Lulù again in kitchen to draw.

The clock beat the nine, when Lulù made his/her appearance in the study.

«Uncle Mice, want to return my home.» it said with voice lagnosa.

The Professor jolted. And now what it had to do? He/she thought for an instant, then he/she answered: «But it is this your house now. Because you want to go away?»

«Because the eyes sleep and I don't have a bed whether to go to lie down.»

Holy numi! The boy the spiazzava again and was right! As you/he/she had done not to think that you/he/she would have had to prepare him the room where to sleep? It got up from the armchair, it extinguished the turntable and it went verse of him.

«Now we go than above to prepare your bed, so also you can sleep together with your eyes. Is it all right?»

«Yes, uncle Mice.»

The nine in the evening is not certain the best time to open the windows and to make to aerate some but the room where Lulù had to sleep you/he/she had been closed for so much time and there was no other solution. The Professor prepared the bed with beautiful sheets, you/he/she systematized the light on the comodino and closed again the windows. Then it observed satisfied the result. The room seemed pleasant and for the time being you/he/she could go.

«Well Lulù, this, is from now on your room. You can comfortably sleep now. Are you happy?»

«Yes, uncle Mice, now however I sleep.»

«I believe that I will go in bed also. Good night.»

«Good night uncle.»

The Professor left half open the door and returned from low. The time to systematize the study and to extinguish the lights and it returned on. But before going to his/her room it peered at in that of Lulù. His/her nephew slept deeply, spaparanzato on the bed. Encouraged, closed again the door and it went to his/her room. Contrarily to his/her habits, he/she didn't succeed in taking sleep. You felt shaken and oddly happy. It didn't understand the why, or he/she knew better, that the worth or the guilt it was of Lulù. In a few hours its existence had been stunned and in more it didn't feel him proper for the assignment that had been assigned him. In so many years of teaching you/he/she had learned to know the boys, but from there to take he/she takes care of it passed of it of difference. Everything this worried him/it, but his/her nephew's presence, despite everything, it made him try a strange feeling of cheerfulness. It was as if suddenly its life had a sense. It sent away with the hand that fools thoughts, it slammed some the pillow and it started sleeping.

What happened later wound the Professor as a spiral.

# To manage the house...

The following morning her" hunger wolves" or" appetite in the belly", as Lulù defined him/it, him punctual ripresentò, finding, naturally, the unprepared Professor Topi to that eventuality. In the house there was not a biscuit or an I don't even drip of milk to look for him/it with the candle. And so the trips in country three became, even if the evening they went down soon more and more because you/they had taken the habit to make snack.

The sketches on the walls kept on appearing as for enchantment, the dirty laundry it was piled up with an impressive speed and Lulù it seemed more and more annoyed.

The management of the house became more every day binding and the Professor didn't make her/it to follow everything. Besides those long walks they didn't benefit him as you/they would have owed: he became more and more thin and Lulù seemed to flourish as a bud in spring instead.

This way, for the second time in few days, the Professor you have to take a decision that would have changed even more his life: to hire a ruler.

But among to say and the to do.

It was not to find effortless someone prepared to move himself/herself/themselves on two feet from him, also because the house was found out country.

Fortune unexpectedly met the Professor in a beautiful morning of beginning week.

# ... a ruler be needed!

It was from little arrival in country with Lulù and Pin, to do some reimburses (the Professor had finally sharpened the talent and you/he/she was organized for having breakfast to house), when, talking to the Mr. The Tasteds, owner of the emporium, had as to know that one cousin of his had just as in country and you/he/she looked for, for known the, to job. The Mrs. it was out momentarily house but the Mr. The Tasteds the message you/he/she would have reported her. The Professor went desolate, thinking that she would not even have been interested to his/her offer of job.

The same afternoon, instead, to the four in point, someone rang the bell of the house some strampalata.

The Professor peered at out and saw a woman behind the gate.

It was a lady of half age, tall and elegant, from the kind air and some funny.

"They will be perhaps that strange hair some ruffled", did he/she think the Professor that stuck out the head from the window and it howled: «you Excuse, who look for?»

«I am the cousin of the Mr. The Tasteds, The lookeds for the Professor Topaz Poltron.»

To those words the Professor raced to open and crossed the fingers.

«Comes dear Mrs.. You arranges.» it said with kind tone directing himself/herself/itself toward the study.

The woman nodded, you/he/she looked around him at some perplexed (you/he/she was a strange house with that great flowers drawn on the walls); you/he/she followed the Professor in silence and, once in the study, he arranged.

«Then, this is the house, later I do him her to visit so you/he/she can have a more precise idea of his/her job Mrs.. you excuse Me, that foolish that am, we macaws not even introduced there!»

The Professor Topi got up from the chair to make the due presentations.

«Coop comfortable Professor, knows also well who is her. My name is Providence Lepitpat and I am pleased to know her/it.»

«It is French.?» he/she asked with suspicion.

«No, because? Does it have something against French?»

«No, no, absolutely nothing but his/her last name.» he/she didn't succeed in ending the sentence.

«I assure her that I am American from different generations! If my last name represents a problem, I believe that our conversation can consider concluded.»

Mrs. took Lepitpat the purse and it did for getting up.

«Mrs. The beg her/it to remain, there is not any problem, believes me. Mine was only curiosity.» the Professor lied, that, in effects, some with French had him because of his/her brother-in-law Gerard.

«As I told her before, I will do now now her visit the house and I will introduce her my nephew Lulù Levarcoque.»

«The boy is French?»

«Yes, but from father.»

«Ah!» it limited him to comment with sarcasm her Mrs. Lepitpat.

«It is the child of my sister and, from a few days, you/he/she has come to live with me. He/she will understand my difficulties in to attend a boy and in to follow together the course of the house. I have lived alone always and I don't succeed in organizing well me for.»

«Certain, I understand. He/she will see, for all a solution is found.»

They chatted of the more and of the less when the appearance of Lulù interrupted them.

«Uncle Mice, go out? Pin is hungry.»

«Lulù, comes, you come, I owe a person to introduce you.»

The boy drew near hesitant, intimidated by that new presence.

«Here is my nephew Lulù.» it said with pride the Professor.

«Hi Lulù, I am her/it Mrs. Lepitpat, but you Khan call me Providence. Pleasure to know you.»

The Mrs. it got up, he/she embraced Lulù and it stamped two big kisses on his/her cheeks. The boy looked her/it at some perplexed until a smile you/he/she opened from an angle to the other of his/her mouth. That lady was nice indeed, she thought without however to say him/it.

«Then Professor now I go, that does late him. We agree, tomorrow morning I will make me accompany here from my cousin I Tasted and then we will see the to make himself/herself/themselves.»

«Uncle Mice, go out also us!» it suggested Lulù, that the time didn't see to go to country.

«Certain. Mrs. if he/she wants we Khan escort her/it up to house.»

«With pleasure Professor, can speak this way of other road doing.»

And from that moment, the platoon for the missions in country became more numerous: the thin Professor, the corpulent Lulù, the small Pin and the funny Mrs. Lepitpat.

When the Professor and his/her nephew were sat in the restaurant, in front of a good dish of pasta, did the man ask to his/her nephew: «Then her you are liked Mrs. Lepitpat?»

Smiled Lulù. «Yes, it is a beautiful ragazzona.»

«Lulù is not said this way of a lady of a certain age!» his/her uncle reproached him/it.

«Excuse uncle, but it is tall. Also funny, it has some hair!» and it bursted to laugh, without succeeding more to stay himself/herself/themselves.

«For thousand singed pipes! What is there to laugh?» churches, but also he began to sneer.

«You are right, it is tall and also some funny for his/her ruffled hair and those shoes that give her an air from Mary Poppins.»

«Precise!» it arranged Lulù and down to laugh.

«On, now it is enough. You will see that it will be good and it will help us in the house. Are you happy?»

«Uhm. Yes, but now The eat. The belly grumbles.»

# «Also I starve.»

#

#

#

# All changes

The next morning, when the furgoncino of the Mr. The Tasteds it stopped him in front of the gate of the house on the hill, the Professor it was already awake from to piece. To say the truth had not almost slept anything during the preceding night. Not that it suffered from insomnia, rather, as we have already said, he/she always slept as a dormouse, but the idea of a further change had him/it completely upset. A thing was Lulù, another was to cohabit with an extraneous and moreover woman!

However meeting went her to help to unload her/it the baggages, but luckily his/her cousin I Tasted, that was a tall and strong big man, you/he/she had preceded him/it.

«Professor returns inside, there is no need that disturbs him.» it told him the Mr. The Tasteds.

«Good morning Mrs. Lepitpat, welcome in our house. Lulù is still sleeping, but it will be awake among a few minutes and you/he/she can give her the welcome one.»

«You let him/it rest, I am as soon as the eight. It will be a long day for everybody and we have to be in strengths. He/she knows, the time to systematize it takes.»

To those words the Professor Topi he felt accapponare the skin. What did it intend Mrs. Lepitpat to say her/it? What was it had to systematize? A shiver of fear the runs along the back to the only thought that its house would have been put upside-down.

«Comes, I prepare her something for the breakfast. The liberty I/you/they are taken me to do some spends, taking advantage of the passage of my cousin I Tasted, so for a few days there will be no need to go down in country. We will make the accounts later.»

The Professor felt him miss. How was not he going more in country? And his/her beautiful walks with Lulù and Pin? No, it didn't even discuss. But it was silent and it followed her/it Mrs. Lepitpat in the kitchen.

«I have taken some fresh brioches, does he/she prefer a tea or a coffee to accompany her?»

«A coffee, thanks.» the Professor Topi answered with a thread of voice.

In men that is not said, You Mrs. Lepitpat put the coffee on the fire, it opened the windows, it prepared the table and it began to butter the bread. «For Lulù.» it said smiling. «It needs that a boy begins well the day.»

«Uhm. Yes, certain. He doesn't miss it really the appetite.»

As evoked, Lulù made his/her appearance in the kitchen.

«Uncle Mice there are there a gentleman of.

«Yes, I know him/it. It is the Mr. The Tasteds, the cousin of Mrs. Lepitpat.»

«Good morning, dear boy.» it said her/it Mrs.. «You have slept well? I have prepared you the breakfast. Is the caffellatte all right?»

Lulù looked at her/it of sottecchi, you/he/she had not gotten used to so much vitality in the first morning. The Mrs. it did as if nothing pits and it put him before the white coffee, the buttered bread and the fresh brioches.

Lulù ate everything happy; there was not really comparison with the breakfast prepared by his/her/their uncle Mice! Was everything buonissimooo!

«Strength young fellow, now he goes than above to take a beautiful shower!» it suggested her/it Mrs. Lepitpat, clearing the table.

«For dream, I have washed yesterday already!» Lulù responded.

«You sees that you will wash again today yourself. On, we don't waste time.» it exhorted again him.

«Uncle Mice.»

«Lulù does as it tells you, it goes' to wash well yourself for.»

«Uffa, however!» it protested the boy. His/her despite it got up from the table and it climbed than above.

«Good Professor, her yes that he/she knows how to impose himself/herself/themselves. You sees that you/he/she has gotten used to deal with the young people.»

«Yes, yes.» it murmured the Professor Topi slightly blushing.

Not for the compliment, but because you/he/she had come him to mind that from when Lulù was from him there, you/he/she had never asked him if you/he/she had washed or no. You/he/she had simply taken him/it for granted and now it was ashamed of his/her distracted behavior. It mumbled some word and it went out of the kitchen to go to his/her study. The morning starts in very different way from the usual one and he felt really upset. Turned on the turntable, it put on a disk of classical music and he/she sat him in his/her usual armchair. But it didn't even do in time to slip himself/herself/themselves the glasses to read the newspaper that already her Mrs. Lepitpat appeared in his/her study.

«Professor, excuses me, but you/he/she doesn't seem me really the moment to listen to music. You/he/she should tell me where the clean laundry is and where it holds the cleanser for the washer. On, you get up and comes with me. It will have the whole afternoon to rest himself/herself/themselves.»

Cleanser, washer, but of thing that woman went chattering? He didn't possess anything of everything this, you/he/she had never needed it. When it almost told him/it Mrs. Lepitpat the takings to hit.

«As it would be that it doesn't have a washer? All of it posseggono one. And as ago to wash the cloths? And the television where it is? Don't seem me to have seen him/it.» churches starting to realize the horrendous truth.

The Professor Topi a worm almost felt him. What could you/he/she tell his/her innocence? Nothing, therefore it widened the braccias desolate.

«It is all right, it doesn't do anything, later we will go out for buying what it serves us.» it proposed her/it Mrs..

«Very well, later we will think there. Now I would like to remain alone some, the laundry and the whole rest it will find them in the closet of the closet.»

The Mrs. it went out of the study, but after burdens second he/she returned to the position.

«Professor Topi, excuses again me, but I would like to clear away what she calls closet to do my room of it.»

«And because never? You/he/she can sleep than above, there is a beautiful room from bed all for her.»

Mrs. Lepitpat became as to pepper red. «He/she knows Professor.»

«Also says, doesn't that room like her? You/he/she can bring all the changes that it desires.»

«No, no, it is not that. It is that. in short Professor to woman needs his/her privacy and therefore The would prefer to sleep down. I don't know whether to tell her., The would feel me freeeer.»

«Ah! Already how stupid, I had not thought there. But as we will do to move all the furniture?»

«You don't worry him for this, my cousin it will lend us a hand.»

And so it was. The Professor and the Mr. The Tasteds they spent the morning to move furniture, while her Mrs. Lepitpat opened the windows, it changed the sheets, it washed the floors. Of Lulù there was not instead trace, the heavy jobs not him they were suitable him. Naturally Pin and he were made now to see only toward of lunch.

«Lulù, goes to wash yourself the hands that to moments the lunch is ready.»

«Because we don't go to country?»

«Because I have already cooked and there is no motive to go to the inn.»

«But Pin wants to go out.»

«I don't believe really, you/he/she has already been in garden the whole morning.»

«But it is annoyed to be home.»

«Lulù does as I tells you, please. You will see that I have prepared a good lunch.»

The boy, not at all convinced, it went to wash him the hands. It returned followed by Pin and he/she sat him to table, with desolate air. Also the Professor and his/her cousin I Tasted is sat; the Professor had a distorted air, so much had not labored in never his/her life.

«A good meal, compliments indeed Mrs..» it said the Professor Topi when you/he/she had ended to have lunch.

«Thanks Professor. Is it to you Lulù, is liked?»

«Delicious.» it said the boy everything happy. «Now however we go out, that Pin is annoyed.»

«No, first Pin will have to make a beautiful bath, then we will go out. Professor can throw out the car, so in the afternoon we go to shop.»

«Car? Which car? I don't drive from twenty years and not posseggo any automobile.»

Mrs. Lepitpat dark looked dark and at it marveled: it was indeed to strange hand the Professor.

«My cousin I Tasted it will give us a passage in country, then he/she will be seen whether to return.» it looked at his/her cousin with interrogative air and him it limited him to nod.

«Now on, you go of there that I have a lot of matters to hurry. Soon I prepare the coffee and then he goes all to country.»

The furgoncino of the Mr. The Tasteds it stopped him in front of the shop of appliances and it let his/her passengers went down. The Professor Topi, Lulù, her Mrs. Lepitpat, followed by Pin, they entered without even not staying himself/herself/themselves an instant to look at the showcases already knowing thing to buy. But the choice of the washer was not so simple then as the Professor Topi you/he/she would be waited. Mrs. Lepitpat didn't end dark her/it than to ask questions to the salesclerk, Lulù and Pin they wandered with air incuriosita for the shop and him it started to lose the patience. The Mrs. it immediately acknowledged the of mind of the Professor and it exhorted him/it to go to the barber, while his/her nephew and she would have provveduto to purchase the necessary one.

«Professor goes, we see us between a hour and half bottom the monument of the President Lincoln.»

Some hesitant the Professor nodded and went out of the shop.

When they found again him in the agreed upon place, her Mrs. Lepitpat and Lulù had indeed to satisfied air and you/they were followed by Pin that it trotted happy. Everything clean and combed it almost had a dog air" serious" and in more, now it made beautiful show of a new collar of mint.

«It looks at uncle Mice, we have bought a collar and a leash for Pin. The Mrs. you/he/she has made us write the name above.» it said his/her nephew everything happy.

«Beautiful, indeed a good idea. And the washer?»

«They deliver her/it tomorrow. Professor Topi I have held necessary to also buy a television and a small stereo plant. It is not possible to listen to the music with that old turntables that have in the study. And then Lulù doesn't like it very the classical music.»

«Ah! You/he/she has done well, if it is for Lulù I don't have anything to object.»

«Perfect, they will deliver us all morning tomorrow. Now we can return home. If it feels her/it to walk?»

For all the singed pipes! Certainly that if it felt her/it, you/he/she had made him/it million of times in all that years, thing there was of different that evening?

«Mrs., I/you/they have accustomed to go afoot.» he/she answered offended.

«I know him/it, Professor, but it has indeed tonight a tired air.»

The Professor you have to be worthwhile, between itself and itself, that of certain that had not been one of his/her best days, but it didn't say anything, taken Lulù sottobraccio and it was started homeward.

When the shade of the evening wound the house on the hill it found in bed already its inhabitants. You/he/she had been, for them, a tiresome day, but they slept satisfied in their perfumed beds of punctured. Even Pin was happy about its new kennel, all soft and fragrant; you/he/she would ever be waited for so much by the life. You said two scratched of it on the neck, because of the new collar to which had not accustomed and it started sleeping.

The delivery of the appliances marked the beginning of a new it was for the Professor Poltron.

All would have been able to testify that up to that moment the world with its technology had remained out of the door of that house. And for this motive he didn't want to assist to the new event. Not to be able to be calm even in his/her study, certainly went to walk along the shore of the river, everything only, because Lulù neither so much less Pin they wanted to follow him/it.

Prey to his/her thoughts it didn't realize that the time was quickly departed. He/she returned on his/her footsteps pushed" from the appetite in the belly", as his/her nephew said, that started to make himself/herself/themselves feel. Nothing made to presage the surprise that waited for him/it!

Hardly envoy foot inside house, her Mrs. Lepitpat him he made meeting all shaken.

«Professor, where has this whole time been?» he/she asked with worried air.

«Oh beautiful, to walk. Has something happened?»

«No, nothing. I have a surprise for her and I was impatient of show her/it to him.»

The Professor, who knows because, it felt a shiver cross his back. What other devilry was Mrs. Lepitpat invented her/it?

«Comes in his/her study Professor.» he/she invited her/it to him Mrs..

To those words the Professor Topi almost had a shortcoming. No, its study would not have had to be touched!

It entered hesitant. At first sight all seemed him equal and it breathed a sigh of relief.

«Her likes?» he/she asked her/it Mrs. all excited.

«Yes,» he/she answered out of politeness. «But if I have to be sincere it seems me everything equal.»

«Professor, asked if the computer likes her. Yesterday I/you/they are taken me the liberty to buy one of them, I have not told him him to make her a surprise. It seemed me that it had of it really need.»

And because it ever had to need a computer? His/her old pen stilografica went very well, but the Professor held back him to express his/her judgment; he didn't want to disappoint her/it Mrs. Lepitpat that seemed to be to the seventh sky.

«Thanks Mrs. it is indeed to beautiful surprise, but unfortunately The don'ts know even as it computer ignites.»

«Oh, if it is for this you don't worry him, I will think it me to teach her everything; and also Lulù» it said her/it Mrs. turning to the boy, that had entered the study in that instant.

«Uncle Mice, please! It doesn't take anything to use him/it.»

«You know him/it to do?»

«Certain, I also make the music.»

«When it is so, I don't believe that there will be difficulty.» you have to be worthwhile, his/her despite, the Professor.

Then also technology entered to make part of its life and the whole house you/he/she was revolutionized in operation of the new one was. The furniture of the room from lunch were moved in the saloon, to leave the room free for all the activities" artistic" of Lulù. And then, as you/he/she had told her/it Mrs. Lepitpat, it was dark very comfort to say there of it, I know you/they would have been able to follow the programs tv.

After the first days of complete chaos, past to file pages and pages of clipboard to the computer, to move the furniture, to systematize the rooms, calm had returned. Of certain technology had its advantages, you have to be worthwhile the Professor, that found genial the fact that everything of its job was listed and orderly how come it had been during its life.

Overcome the initial resistance, also the television had ended up fascinating him/it. All those beautiful images, documentaries, film, music, seemed in short him, that you/he/she had opened a window on the world. To say the truth his/her preferences they went to the soaps it operates and naturally it shared this passion with her Mrs. Lepitpat. Lulù, stayed almost always instead in his," laboratory" to feel music, up to when the eyes not" they slept."

The life, therefore you/he/she had taken a tran daily tran, after all that upsettings that to the Professor they absolutely seemed positive.

# The spring arrives

The Professor enjoyed him the first warmths of March, sat in his/her study. The open window allowed to enter a light breeze and the first perfumes in spring. The garden was not even saved by the cares of Mrs. Lepitpat; the weeds had disappeared for leaving place to fragrant flowers. All absorbed from that idyllic quadretto the Professor made a jump when a din stormed in the air. It went out of the study already knowing about thing him it treated and it directed him toward the room of Lulù.

«Please, it lowers the music, so I cannot work!» it told imperious tone. Not receiving anybody answered by his/her/their nephew, it went to the stereo plant and it extinguished him/it.

«Lulù, how many times do I owe you him to say not to put the so tall music?» churches become impatient.

«Excuse, uncle Mice.» it murmured as soon as the boy.

«You are not busy other? Laws, draw, it looks at some tv!»

«It is all right, uncle Mice.» the boy answered sadly.

The Professor regretted having used that sour tone, but you/he/she could not apologize, Lulù had to learn to respect the demands of the others.

«You are annoyed? Do you want to go out?»

The eyes of Lulù illuminated him.

«Where we go?»

«It suits you to go to walk along the river?»

«It is all right, I call Pin.»

This way, uncle, nephew and dog started along the road that coasted along the river.

The air was lukewarm and to walk was pleasant; by now they were few the occasions to take some walks not having to often go to as country. The Professor forded the nephew of sottecchi, you/he/she would have liked to chat some with him, but he didn't know from thing to start.

It thoughtful, reflecting on the fact that didn't succeed in establishing a true relationship with him; it knew indeed after all it little.

«Uncle Mice, because you breathe so?»

«How?»

«So: snuff sbuff.»

«Ah! I thought and I.»

«About what you thought?»

«To you.»

«To me? Because you thought about me? If they are here next to you, there is no need to think of me.»

«Already it is true. We are near, therefore we can speak.»

«Of what?»

«Of you. Of thing likes you to do, if you want to go to some place, of things so...»

«Uncle Mice, because you want to know these things?»

«For curiosity, to know better us.»

«But we know each other.»

For all the singed pipes, was difficult to talk to Lulù indeed!

«You feel, would you like to study some? I could teach you the history.» it said the Professor, suddenly illuminated by that idea.

«For dream! I don't like to study and then I/you/they have gone to school for so much time.»

«No? And do you like thing to do then?»

«You know him/it, uncle Mice, music, painting.»

«And enough?»

«No, other things.»

«But what?» the Professor started indeed to lose the patience.

«Things. to go out, to dance.»

«You like to dance?»

«Yes, it looks.» Lulù started dancing and to sing to squarciagola, there in the pebbly shore of the river.

The Professor looked at him/it incredulous; despite his/her massive structure you/he/she was agile and harmonious in the movements. Pin seemed to appreciate out the sudden one program and started skipping about and to bark around him. Had never seen the so happy dog! Of certain his/her nephew had succeeded in making himself/herself/themselves to love suffered by Pin, that followed him/it to every footstep of his.

«It is all right, now it is enough, I have understood.» it said, seeing that Lulù didn't end her/it more than to sing and to dance.

«Uncle Mice he/she also dances you.»

«No, for charity, I am not able.»

«You say bugi, all know how to dance.»

«Perhaps, but me no. And then it is said, not bugi.»

«It is all right, uncle Mice. Do we go to country now?»

The Professor nodded and resumptions to walk. His/her young nephew was so full of energy to always be felt like doing again something. This thought forced him/it to make some new reflections.

Finally descents the evening and the eyes of Lulù slept, forcing to go in bed it. The Professor and her Mrs. Lepitpats placed him in front of the television to see their soap it operates preferred, but the Professor didn't succeed in focusing himself/herself/themselves, you/he/she had need to speak.

«Mrs. Lepitpat, what he/she thinks.»

«After Professor. We speak during the publicity of it.» it hissed her/it to it Mrs..

«But really.»

«Sccc.» it said her/it Mrs. putting to finger in front of the nose. «Silence Professor, is to an alternative, the history he is doing more and more complicated.»

Resigned the Professor it was hissed and it tried to focus himself/herself/themselves on the images that flowed on the video.

But the mind it wandered prey to other thoughts and when her Mrs. Lepitpat turned him the word, he almost started.

«Professor, is this episode liked her?»

«Really I have not followed well, I would not know how to tell her.»

«Thing happens Professor, it seems me some thoughtful.» govern churches her, acknowledging himself/herself/itself the frowning air of the Professor.

«Nothing, or they are better in thought for Lulù.»

«And because never? Has something happened? Seem me that coop well.»

«Yes, yes. But. The have as the feeling that macaws annoyed, that is not really happy.»

«On Professor, but thing goes saying. The boy is very well; certain, you/he/she would have need to be with his/her contemporaries rather than with us, always closed in this house. Has you/he/she thought us about this?»

The Professor reflected for a long instant. Yes, you/he/she had thought of us, but you/he/she had not found a solution.

«How we could do?» churches the chin tormenting himself/herself/itself with the hand.

«It would be enough to enroll him/it in some activities, a gym, a course of painting.»

«Of dance would be better. But you/he/she should go to country.»

«Certain, I don't believe that this is a problem.»

«Alone?»

«No, we would accompany him/it us. To such intention, it seems me to have seen the poster of a course of dance hung really out the emporium of my cousin I Tasted. Tomorrow morning I call him/it and I inquire better me. It will be also an occasion for us two to see some people.»

The Professor nodded satisfied, her Mrs. Lepitpat always found the solution for every thing.

«Then I believe that I will go to sleep. I already feel me calmer.

«Good Professor, will see that we will find the correct solution for the necessities of Lulù.

The morning after her Mrs. Lepitpat phoned his/her cousin The Tasteds. In effects was just as said her! In country courses of dance were held. This way, after you/he/she had ended to rearrange the house and to prepare the lunch, dressed him of everything point and it went to knock to Professor Mice's study.

«I am ready, if he/she wants we can go to country.

The Professor unthread the glasses and stranito looked at her/it.

«In country? To do what?»

«But has not Professor, been her to ask to inform me to me for the course of dance?»

«Ah, already. How careless, I had forgotten the course. Is Lulù ready?»

«Yes, it is already in front of the door together with Pin.»

«Well, rather very well, arcibenissimo. I slip me the jacket and we go.»

This way they were started toward the country, the Professor Topi, the young Lulù, the strampalata Mrs. Lepitpat and the small Pin.

It was a profitable forenoon; besides enrolling Lulù in the course of dance (you/he/she had chosen the Latin-American), they also hurried some matters. They went to the mail to pay the bills, they shopped, they purchased various books and magazines and some musical cd for Lulù together with a pair of new shoes for the dance. They returned home all satisfied and happy ones.

The dancing activity of Lulù was successful and involved all the inhabitants of the house on the hill. In fact, there were not only well soon the lessons of dance but the reunions with the friends, the parties in pizzeria, the invitations to lunch and the evenings danzanti. Everything this was too much indeed for the poor Professor Topi, that didn't succeed in having an instant of truce anymore. Mrs. Lepitpat, seemed instead, reinvigorated by I know many activities and sometimes also she stopped him to dance.

That evening in front of the television they were the eyes of the Professor to sleep. The day had been particularly intense and the long walks to go and to return from the country, sfiancatos had him/it.

«Professor, does he feel well? You/he/she has not almost eaten anything to supper.»

«Yes, I am well. I am alone tired. I believe that I will go to sleep.»

«It is sure indeed to be well? Seem me some pale.»

«Yes, yes. Lulù where it is?»

«In his/her room to listen to music.»

«Let's show up us! But will this passion have picked her up from who? It doesn't seem me to remember that my Amethyst sister loved so much the music.»

«Perhaps his/her sister no, but her yes. Always listen to him.»

«Before, but now they seem me centuries that I am not closed in my study to listen to the music.»

«Professor, as is tragic! It will be yes and no one month, from when Lulù has begun the course of dance.»

«Here, note.»

«But because it doesn't stay home, I think it me to accompany him/it.»

«He/she doesn't even speak. I could not make to return alone you with the dark. I would not be calm.»

«It is all right, then you don't complain him.»

«No, I don't complain me. Good night Mrs..» the whole Professor answered. Could complain now even!

A few days after her Mrs. Lepitpat found again the solution to the problems of the Professor.

They were in country and they dawdled for the shops waiting that Lulù ended his/her lesson, when her Mrs. taken the Professor sottobraccio.

«My dear Professor Topi,» it said with fond tone. «I have very thought about what has told me the other evening.»

«To which intention?» he/she asked the Professor fearing some other novelties.

«Speaking of the fact that doesn't have leisure time anymore. If its problem is that not to want to make to return alone us the evening, you/he/she is resolved soon.»

«Indeed? And as?»

«Very simple: we buy an automobile. I have seen one of it that does really to our case.»

«Mrs., but The have not driven for years!»

«But me yes!»

The Professor nodded, not really convinced of the ability to the guide of the ruler.

«As I told her, I have seen a car that does really to our case. Does he/she want to come to see her/it?»

«It is all right, but if it costs too much I warn him that it doesn't do anything.»

They went to the dealership of automobiles together with his/her/their cousin I Tasted, that was also experienced in subject.

«You look at Professor, it is not nice?» he/she asked her/it Mrs., stopping himself/herself/itself in front of an auto red fire.

«Beh, is not that I understand granché of it.»

«Professor, look well, has the openable canopy, four counters and even the radio! Lulù will be so happy of it.»

No! The music also in car it was too much indeed. This would already have been a good motive not to buy her/it, but the Professor you have to surrender himself/herself/themselves in front of the tenacity of Mrs. Lepitpat.

«Professor is a good automobile, will see that won't repent! And it doesn't cost so much even. Also tell him him you, Tasted, that a bargain is doing.»

His/her cousin I Tasted, naturally it confirmed the thesis of the, Mrs. and the Professor capitulated. It signed all the necessary papers to the purchase, it compiled the check and he/she returned from her/it Mrs..

«It is sure to know how to drive?» he/she always asked doubtful.

«Better of a pilot of formulates one! Climbs, he goes to take Lulù.»

And so they set out in auto toward the school of dance. Lulù waited together there them before to some companions and, when he/she saw them arrive, he/she didn't succeed in believing in his/her own eyes.

«Uncle Mice, but whose is this car?»

«Our, has bought hardly her.»

«But what pipe say! Take me for fondelli, you don't have an automobile.»

«Starting today yes and I don't take around you. Now you salt that he goes home.»

But Lulù laughed to crepapelle, you/he/she could not believe that that funny car was really theirs.

In fact, only her Mrs. Lepitpat could choose out by now that model production from years. What red was as the fire we have already told him/it, in more it had the chest bombato, the black canopy, in short, more than a true auto seemed an automobile toy. For the precision that of Mickey Mouse!

At least so Lulù defined her/it.

«Ah ah ah. his/her uncle Mice it has the topomobile!» and down to laugh.

The Professor found pertinent that observation and from that day the car was baptized" topomobile."

They set out homeward therefore with the new auto that, under the weight of Lulù, it had of the strange scrunches and Pin stuck out out of the car window with the ears to the wind.

Needless to say that the appearance of the topomobile in Professor Mice's life brought further changes. Instead of cutting out him some time for him, to quietly spend in his/her study, it seemed that every excuse was good to go to country. The topomobile scorrazzava in long and in wide for the whole country, some tottering, naturally, with the music to all volume and the fluttering ears of Pin from the car window.

Snow was by now loosened and the spring had arrived in everything of its shine. Professor Mice's garden was an I exult of perfumed flowers and clusters of glicine that went down from the roof of the small gazebo. That had become the place preferred by the Professor for the rests afternoon, when the manifold activities of Lulù allowed him/it. That day, for the note, it seemed that his/her nephew was not busy anything and wandered uneasy with Pin to the succession.

«Lulù, thing there is?» he/she asked the Professor, opening as soon as an eye.

«Nothing. I am alone.»

«It is not true, there are Pin and I and also her Mrs. Lepitpat.»

«You sleep and her Mrs. he/she sees the tv.»

«And Pin?»

«Also Pin is alone!»

«It is all right, I have understood. What does it suit you to do?»

«We go to country.

«Doesn't even speak! Today he is home.»

«Then we go to walk along the river.»

«Here, this is already a best idea.»

The Professor, some reluctant, got up from his/her hammock and it went to the house to slip himself/herself/themselves the jacket.

«Mrs. Lepitpat, Lulù and The go to take to walk, among burdens we return.»

But her Mrs. it was I know absorbed in his/her telenovela, that hardly answered.

«Yes, yes, we see later us.» it said without making as case to the words of the Professor.

Along the road that conducted to the river the perfume of blackberries it was so intense that made to presage a warm summer.

«You like the blackberries, Lulù?»

«The blackberries? What am I/you/they?»

«Fruits sweets and juicy.»

«I don't know him/it, uncle.»

«You have ever eaten her?»

Shook Lulù the head, trying to remember something, but it didn't come him nothing to mind.

«No, I don't like.»

«According to you have never eaten her to me. You come, I make you see what I am.»

The Professor went next to a bramble looking for some blackberries.

«Uncle Mice, but there are the thorns!»

«Certain, but you don't have to touch her. Do you see that small clusters? Soon they will be mature and we will come to pick up them.»

«Yes, uncle Mice.»

Lulù looked at the a little convinced bramble, it didn't seem him that that small clots could be something of good person to eat. And him, of things to be eaten, intended eccome!

«Pick up some of it, so we make her see to Mrs. Lepitpat.»

The afternoon serenely went by between the search of the blackberries and the forecasts for the vacations in the imminent summer. Lulù already day-dreamed on the dives and the long swims that you/he/she would have done in the river, as soon as water would have become warmer. This way the Professor discovered another thing that you/he/she liked to do to his/her nephew: to swim. He hardly knew how to be floating and was not in water from about twenty years! The words of Lulù made however him imagine long days lazily passed on the bank of the river to enjoy of the sun and of the company of his/her/their nephew. You/they would perhaps have been able to also fish. Not that he had ever done him/it, however you/he/she could ask to his/her cousin I Tasted, even he intended also of fishing.

When they returned homeward the sun it illuminated of red the whole sky and the sunset it announced the end of the day.

But indeed an unpredictable surprise attended the Professor to its reentry.

Hardly in the hill it flowed an auto parked in front of his/her house.

"Who can be never"?, he/she wondered incuriosito.

### The inspector Magrette

His/her cousin I Tasted no of certain, it was not his/her furgoncino some scassato but a beautiful blue car. Even it was who knows some other relative or friend of Mrs. Lepitpat. After all from her you/he/she could wait him of everything and a sudden guest it didn't represent of some one problem. With that disposition of mind, the Professor set out homeward, but as soon as in front of the gate, her Mrs. Lepitpat the runs meeting all shaken.

«To the buon'ora, Professor! Can you/he/she be known where you have been? It is almost evening and I began to be in thought.

«Good heavens, Mrs.! There is no motive to be so in anxiety, we are alone gone to walk along the river. Has something happened?» he/she asked then, seeing the expression worried about the Mrs..

«Perhaps this is a question that I should turn to her. Inside there is a police officer that waits for him!» it said her/it Mrs. in tone of reproach.

For thousand singed pipes! What could you/he/she want from him the police? Nothing, to his/her opinion.

«It is not that you/he/she has had an accident with the car and you/he/she has not spoken of it?»

«Professor! It is not from her to say these things and then we are together always, when I could have has him this accident?» churches, more and more annoyed.

«It is all right, it is right. The only way to discover what has happened it is to enter and to talk to the police officer.»

The Professor went to the study where the man waited for him, followed by her/it Mrs., from Lulù and, naturally, from Pin.

«Good evening, are Poltrons the Professor Topazio, thing I can do for her?» churches reaching out for the man.

«Professor, is a honor to know her/it, I have felt a lot to speak of her.» the man answered lifting himself/herself/itself and the hand that the Professor handed him taking.

«I am the inspector Magrette, of the U.S.T.I, Special Unity for the Indian Tribes.»

«It is French?» he/she asked the Professor quadrating well the man.

«No, because he/she asks me him?»

«Its last name has a French assonance.»

«I would not say.»

«However it is not this the point. Tell me as I can help her/it.» it said the become impatient Professor. It didn't understand what you/he/she could want that man from him.

«Certain, Professor Poltron. I would need however to exchange two words to quattrocchi.»

The inspector looked toward Lulù and her/it at Mrs. Lepitpat, making to realize that their presence didn't appreciate.

«You/he/she can freely speak. This is my nephew Lulù and.» he turned verse governed her/it. «I imagine that has already known my secretary, her Mrs. Providence Lepitpat.»

The Mrs. it shelled the eyes for the surprise. The heart beat her strong for the emotion, the Professor Poltron had introduced her as its secretary! What a trepidation, that delicious person was the Professor!

«Therefore,» it continued the Professor with solemn tone. «you can quietly speak to them.»

The inspector made spallucce surrendering himself/herself/itself to the evidence. You arranged again on the armchair and it threw out of the pocket of the jacket a sheet.

«Dear Professor, is here because you/he/she has been me reported that she is one of the maximum experts of ancient history, above all of American history.»

The Professor nodded without interrupting his/her guest.

«And it is really this the point, has need of someone that helps us in this entangled case that we have for the hands.»

«I understand, rather no. I am not an expert of investigations, I would not know just as to be you of help.»

«To start the investigations we have need of someone that knows the rites and the customs of the Indians of America.»

«It is better perhaps that I/you/he/she start to tell me everything from the beginning; we see of thing him it treats and then we discuss of it.»

The inspector Magrette looked around him at some, slightly embarrassed. Again it tried the desire to stay only with the Professor, but he was careful not to propose him/it, having already clarified the matter.

«Therefore.» it began hesitant. «I don't know if it is the case, he/she knows in front of the boy.»

«Inspector freely speaks also, Lulù is enough adult to listen to what it has to say.» the Professor answered looking at his/her nephew, that was in an angle, some intimidated by the presence of that stranger, moreover police officer!

«It deals with the tribe of the Calm Sleeps, that, as she will already know, it is one of the last Indian tribes to maintain rites and traditions of the great people redskin. Alive on the Bifurcate Mountains, to south of the bay of Hudson, on the territories of their ancestors.»

«Yes, once these territories were populated from the algochinis, a together of belonging populations to the more populous linguistic log and broadly distributed of Indians of America that originally understood various hundred groups that almost spoke fifty languages. Then they were divided in clan and tribe, they were gathered in different nations and confederations, the most famous of which, around the bay of Chesapeake, he/she took the name from the Head Powhatan, father of the heroin Pocahontas. But continuous not to understand what I/you/he/she enter it everything this with me.»

«Aspects Professor, makes me end to speak and then you/he/she will understand.»

«It is right, you excuse me. Continuous also Inspector.»

«Therefore, where we had remained.» the inspector made to small break, then resumptions to speak. «Ah, already. As I told her this tribe it has the privilege to keep on preserving myths, traditions and uses of the ancient Indians. Their Head, Calm Sleep, is a man of medicine, cultured and kind, besides being a correct and wise leader. His/her people, that once lived of hunting, deal him with agriculture and craftsmanship and alive pacific in the territory of the Bifurcate Mountains, as I have already mentioned her. Until here all normal, but from some days strange things happen in the small village.»

The look of the Professor suddenly did him dark and tried to focus more himself/herself/themselves on inspector Magrette's story.

«Tells me of these strange accadimentis.» it said absorbed.

In the room the most absolute silence had gone down; her Mrs. Lepitpat didn't even to give to breathe I know much it was abducted from the story of the inspector and Lulù it was everything serious sat in to fireside of the couch. Even Pin seemed to realize the gravity of the moment and was acciambellato to the feet of Lulù.

«As I told her.» the inspector took back his/her story. «By now from a few days the night they happen strange facts what you/they have thrown the tribe in the blackest desperation. You know Professor that, when they finished the wars of the whites against the Indians, each of these tribes it was confined in a reserve; the great head you Sleep Well since that time, it chose the lowland under the Bifurcate Mountains, because earth seemed good and the enough isolated place to be guaranteed a long and serene life to its people. But its choice was also dictated by the strange form that has the summit of the mountain. Its bifurcation seemed a kind of divine sign to the Indians, as if Manitù protected better them from those two strange summits. And so you/he/she has been for as years, until, note, to few weeks ago.»

«Inspector everything that of which is speaking to me, in a certain qual way I already knew him/it, but continuous not to understand what enter it me with this history! You don't keep on turning around the matter and goes straight to the point!»

«Aspects Professor. I was telling her that this tribe, from nomad and huntress, you/he/she is turned into a calm population of farmers and artisans. You/they have flourished in serenity, but from some nights it seems that on them has gotten depressed a curse!»

The words of the inspector were as a lash in the air. The Professor jumped above from the armchair, her Mrs. Lepitpat almost fainted from the fear, Lulù him rincantucciò dark even and Pin he hid behind his/her feet.

«For thousand singed pipes! Inspector thing goes saying?»

«It is so Professor. The tribe of the Calm Sleeps doesn't sleep from nights and nights and his/her children they cry afraid!»

The Professor took to measure to great footsteps the study and, to give him a behavior, threw out the pipe.

«Professor, won't want at all to turn on that malodorous bargain!» he/she immediately rebuked her/it to it Mrs. Lepitpat. The Professor launched her an occhiataccia and you/he/she put back the pipe where you/he/she had picked her up, bofonchiando between itself and itself. "In that house could not be smoked more in holy peace!" he/she thought annoyed.

«And is this curse known to thing is due?» he/she asked the Professor after having thought some.

«No, and it is this the point. I have asked a more detailed relationship to the sheriff of the place and it will do me him to have morning tomorrow. Once in possession of greater details, we will understand better the situation. But here it enters game his/her historical knowledge and she. I would have need that accompanied me to make a sopralluogo and to talk to the Great Head.»

«Certain, certain. There is no problem. The necessary time to organize us and we can depart.»

«If he/she wants, Professor, can pass to take her/it morning tomorrow. Tonight I will sleep in country, it is by now late to return in the city.»

«Tomorrow? No, we have need at least of a few days. The time that her Mrs. Lepitpat organizes the baggages for everybody and systematizes the house and then we Khan go. You that he/she thinks of it, Providence?»

The Mrs. it became as to pepper red. The Professor had him call by name, making to intend a confidence between them. Oddio, felt him faint for all those emotions.

«A couple of days will be enough.» Providence responded, trying to give him a behavior.

«Well, my dear Inspector, now that we have clarified the matter, that he/she thinks about staying himself/herself/themselves to supper with us?»

«No, I thank her/it I owe really to go, is on call and I cannot accept.»

«But street, has ended to speak of job, you stop him to supper. I assure her that Providence, besides being a perfect secretary, it is also a good cook.»

Again her Mrs. Lepitpat blushed violently. Now the Professor was really exaggerating with all that compliments. You felt flattered, but above all heated up. This way it gathered to the flight the occasion to disperse being said: «Correct, Inspector, stops him to supper. It is already everything ready, the time to prepare and we will be in table. If you want to excuse me, do I go of there. Lulù you as to help me?»

Also Lulù gathered the occasion to get further and, even if you/he/she had never helped her/it Mrs. before that evening, he/she offered him with rush to prepare the table. It got up followed by Pin that raced away as a lightning.

After supper the Professor Topi and the inspector Magrette granted him to see himself/herself/themselves the next morning again there; you/they would have developed some searches on internet and, in more, the Professor would have looked for in his/her ancient books some news related to the Tribe of the Calm Sleeps.

«Good night Professor, to tomorrow. And thanks still for the supper. My dear Mrs. Providence, was indeed everything delicious.» it said the inspector in front of the door, taking leave.

«Good night Inspector, the aspect tomorrow morning, toward the eleven.» the Professor answered bothered by those smanceries.

### The Acchiappasogni

To the eleven in point of the next morning, the inspector Magrette was already found behind the gate of the house on the hill.

Gone down by the car and it drew near to the bell to play, when last Lulù sat under the small gazebo. It made him a sign and the boy it got up for going to open.

«Good morning Mr. Lulù, is his/her uncle in the house?» he/she asked the inspector all assignment.

Lulù looked him/it at some stranito, then it started laughing. «Because you tell this way me? I am not a gentleman, I am a boy!» it exclaimed had a good time. That police officer didn't do then so fear. «His/her uncle Mice it is in his/her study with her Mrs. Lepitpat, if you want you/he/she Khan go.»

After that it returned to take a seat to the shade, follows, naturally, from Pin.

The inspector entered some embarrassed, you/he/she had made the figure of the fool with the boy, badly that nobody had seen him.

«Permission, Professor Poltron, is he able?» he/she asked the inspector with rather tall voice.

«Comes, comes, we are here in the study.»

The inspector entered and one strange" beep beep" you/he/she welcomed him/it.

«My good morning dear Inspector, has reached the correct moment, we were making some searches on internet.»

«What you have found?»

«Still nothing.»

Mrs. Lepitpat did as soon as to sign of regard to the inspector and he/she returned to look at the screen of the computer. At times the Professor made indeed her lose the patience, he didn't even know how to use the mouse and you/he/she had done" impallare" the computer, that kept on playing gone crazy for the nth time.

«I, have had instead some news in, more on the situation. You/he/she has been sent this morning here here me by fax.» The inspector threw out of the pocket a sheet of paper and began to read. «Therefore, my colleagues of the place tell that it deals with a real curse. Seem that the night disappears from the beds of his/her/their children their acchiappasognis! And there naturally is not trace of burglary, they fade away so, sbuff. as for enchantment!»

«How much it tells me it makes even more the serious situation.» it commented the Professor Topi with serious voice.

«You say?» he/she asked the inspector more and more worried.

«Certain. If it has the patience to wait I take my book on these traditions and I explain her some what he treats. Mrs., there is no dark need of the computer, you/he/she Khan extinguish him/it.» it said turned to the ruler - secretary. Did Mrs. Lepitpat strike by lightning him/it with the look, was it around to hour that tried to make those blessed searches and didn't they serves now anymore? Boh! "These researchers are eccentric indeed", he/she thought annoyed. It got up there to return of, but the Professor stopped her/it.

«Where it goes? it has to help me to find again that book that speaks of Indian customs; you/they should be also us of the notes, who knows where I have preserved them!»

«Professor, explains better me of what book he treats, he will see that we will find him/it in an instant.» it said, seeing the expression afflicted of the Professor Topi.

The Professor explained what you/he/she looked for and in men that she is not said Mrs. you/he/she found the book; before porgeglielo, said to peek

«The notes that go looking for they are in the cassettieras, first drawer, letter" Á.".» it suggested for preventing a further question.

The Professor opened the drawer and immediately, in the marked cartellina with the letter" Á.", you/he/she found that that you/he/she looked for. "Good heavens! When the things are kept in order, it is easy to find her indeed", he/she thought, smiling pleased.

«I had told him him that Providence is a formidable secretary!» it said turning again to the inspector. «Therefore, expected an instant that I give a look.»

The Professor returned to take a seat, you/he/she inserted the glasses and you/he/she peered at the sheets that you/he/she held in hand.

«Yes, it is really what I was looking for, but it perhaps misses a small part of it. Does Providence, remember him if by chance we have filed her to the computer?»

Now her Mrs. you/he/she was losing indeed the patience. Before the computer didn't serve anymore and served again now.

«I can look at Professor, however it has to wait for some because I have to relight him/it.» he/she answered in annoyed tone.

«If he/she wants I do me.» it beat the Professor realizing the irritation of the ruler.

«For charity, coop away from the computer or we will put the whole morning to look for the notes there.»

The inspector Magrette started to feel himself/herself/themselves some in embarrassment, the skirmishes among the two didn't mention to finish. You cleared the throat to remember his/her presence.

«Inspector,» it said the Professor skimming through both the book and his/her notes. «While her Mrs. press the other part, Khan begin to explain her of thing him it treats.»

The police officer nodded, he finally continued with the job. Seemed that calm had returned!

«Therefore we see,": The acchiappasogni is a very sacred object for the native Americans, above all for the people that come down from the Algochinis as the tribe of the Calm Sleeps. You/he/she is served as a base constituted by a sprig of flexible wood, that is wound to form the typical circle, (we know, in fact, that the circle for the native ones is the essence of the life, life is a circle, he is born him he/she lives and he dies, for then to revive), it is very patiently covered then winding him/it with a drawstring of skin. Ended this operation, he takes a long filament, also it of skin, and he winds him creating inside the circle a sharp pain net. To the center of this they put on one or two beads. To the outside of the bracelet, instead, four feathers of eagle can be tied (to point out the four sacred cardinal points), but since today it is very difficult to retrieve her, it is possible to use some threads of cloth each of the color corresponding to the spirit of the cardinal point (for the north the white is used, for the south the yellow, for the west the black and for the east the red).

Dopodiché can be adorned him/it with some belonging object to the person to which we want to give him/it. Usually among the native ones there is the custom that the man as soon as it has a child or a daughter, he/she builds one of them, it blesses him/it (and dear Inspector there is here a whole sacred tradition that I cannot tell her, because you/he/she cannot be broken) and you/he/she puts him/it above the crib or the bunk, of his/her/their child.

Its purpose is that to capture all the nightmares and all the malefic that his/her child can suffer during the sleep, protecting then it when he wakes up. Such nightmares are captured by the inside net to the circle and they slip on the beads that englobe forever them." I imagine, from what says the book, that someone has launched a curse to the tribe of the Calm Sleeps and for this the acchiappasognis they disappear.»

«Yes, Professor, understands. But the point is really this. Who can want so badly to this pacific people and his/her children?»

«I would not know really thing to tell her, has to talk to the Great Head, Calm Sleep, to discover what has happened in the last days.»

«Yes, I believe really that this is the best road to pursue.» it said the inspector widening the braccias, desolate.

In the meantime her Mrs. Lepitpat had found the material that served to the Professor and you/he/she was stamping him/it; it didn't have therefore follows the conversation that was developed among the two. When the printer finished its job, it Mrs. it stacked the sheet and it got up for handing them to the Professor.

«Now it has here what needs her.» it said, handing him the papers.

«Ah, thanks, but it doesn't serve me anymore. I think both better listening to what has to say the Great Head, before continuing the investigations.»

To that point You Mrs. Lepitpat was irritated indeed. But who believed of Poltron to be this Professor Topazio!? Before it said a thing, then it changed mind, it changed again then her. Didn't seem her really a correct way to behave him!

It looked at the Professor and it seemed to want to strike by lightning him/it with the look. The inspector Magrette immediately warned the climate of tension that he was creating and he thought that you/he/she was better to slip away sooner him her the possible. It went off standing and it began to greet.

«Thanks for your information, now I owe really to go.» it said with vehemence. «I have to return in the city to settle urgent business. I leave her my telephone number; when it is ready to depart, warns me that I come to take to go her/it on the Bifurcate Mountains.»

You/he/she had spoken all of a breath, not to give the opportunity to object to the Professor.

«Thanks Mrs., its help has been very precious.» it told Mrs. Lepitpat, bending himself/herself/itself to I give her the we kiss, as it does him with the ladies.

He/she caught the hat and it directed him toward the entry, convinced to be in safe. But the Professor Poltron, after the initial dismay, you/he/she had gotten up and you/he/she had followed the police officer.

«Aspects, Inspector Magrette.» it said the Professor. «You stops to lunch, we can still speak of the case.»

«No, no. I already know enough. And I repeat her that I absolutely have to return in the city.»

«As he/she wants, there is not however need that calls her/it; we can put since of accord. How long does it have to lose in the city?»

The inspector prevaricated, not knowing what to invent something that the Professor didn't succeed in understanding, stuttered then. Just in that instant Lulù entered.

«Uncle Mice, this gentleman seizes me for fondelli!» it said looking at the police officer.

«But what you say Lulù!» her Mrs. Lepitpat immediately intervened.»

Such a decent person as the inspector would not have been able to pick around up a boy!

«Yes, uncle. Call me gentleman and me I am a boy!»

The Professor Topi bursted in a fat laughter.

«Lulù,» it said had a good time. «He/she calls yourself gentleman because it is a polite person, but it doesn't have any intention to take him game of you. It is not so Inspector?»

«Certain, I would never allow me to pick around up his/her nephew.» the inspector answered, really embarrassed. «Now, however, you/he/she is done late indeed, I cannot stop anymore. I will return the day after tomorrow, makes him find ready toward the nine. The road for the Bifurcate mountains is long and dangerous.»

«Perfect, talk to you soon then.»

When the inspector Magrette succeeded in climbing on his/her car, you/he/she didn't seem him true. It was happy to return to his/her office, however small and solitary. It breathed a sigh of relief, that two days with that strange people had tried indeed him. It started the car and for the cheerfulness it departed shot as a rocket.

It was not able certain to foresee what waited for him.

Two days later, punctual as it is suitable him to a serious police officer, at nine o'clock exact, the inspector was in front of Professor Poltron's gate.

Again it didn't have need to play, because there was out Lulù with his/her dog.

«Hi Lulù,» he/she greeted him/it being careful not to call him/it" gentleman." «His/her uncle is in the house?»

«Hi Inspector.» Lulù responded smiling. «It enters, we are almost ready.»

These words did some make suspicious the inspector, but it made spallucce, you/he/she could not believe that what he/she thought could be true, you/he/she would not have had any sense. Instead its fears were founded more than. Even a second later the Professor appeared, everything happy.

«Bentornato Inspector Magrette, enters also, among a few minutes we will be ready; I have only to load the baggages in car.»

Only then the inspector acknowledged the line of suitcases prepared in front of the entry, but the noise of a car dissuaded him/it from its thoughts and did him/it turn from the other side.

The small topomobile advanced, rather it demoted, toward the entry. You stopped to few meters from the inspector and it jumped out an unrecognizable of it Mrs. Lepitpat (in effects it also dark seemed seen youth his/her unusual attire: jeans, sweater and picked hair in to rascal tail of horse!), what he/she happily greeted him/it.

«Bentornato Ispettore. Gives me a few minutes and I will be from her.» it said entering house as a lightning. Some second after all the inhabitants of the house on the hill was ready for the departure. Pin jumped in car without waiting for anybody, Lulù, before every other thing, turned on the radio to all volume and the Professor Poltron it began to load the baggages in car.

«A few minutes and he still depart.» it told the inspector, that started to realize the horrendous truth.

«Professor, is misunderstanding perhaps, won't he want to tell me that all come with us?»

«Certain, where does he/she want that goes, if not with us?» the Professor answered as if the thing was discounted.

«Also the dog?»

«He/she won't want of some that leaves alone it to house. And then Lulù is inseparable of it, he/she adores Pin.»

«Professor, excuses me.» you/he/she said the inspector trying to find the correct words to set the matter. «The case seems her that her Mrs. and does the boy accompany us? We are not of certain going to make a trip of pleasure.»

«Inspector, but it seemed me clear since the beginning that you/they would have accompanied me to them. Have not I perhaps told her that it needed us a couple of days to pack the suitcases of all?» he/she asked the Professor some stranito. But what kind of police officer was it this Inspector, if it didn't even understand well these simple things?

«It is true, you/he/she has told him/it, but I thought that even it had to conduct them in country, near some friend or relative.»

«I am me the only relative of Lulù. They comes with me. If it doesn't suit her, tells him/it and it doesn't do anything.»

The inspector you have again to surrender himself/herself/themselves to the evidence. Did a shiver of terror cross his back, as you/he/she would have done to develop around its investigations with all those people?

Resigned it was about to climb in car, when it acknowledged the topomobile. At first you/he/she had not made us so much case, but now that it looked well her at him made account that was few more than a trabiccolo.

«Professor, won't want to tell me that you/he/she intends to travel with this auto!» it exclaimed amazed.

«Certain, because? Does it have something that doesn't go?»

«A sure mean doesn't seem me and then it is so loaded that the wheels are almost sgonfie.»

«No, it is one impression of his. The car goes very well. Really yesterday her Mrs. Lepitpat has made her check from the mechanic: water, oil, pressure of the rubbers, in short the usual things. Coop calm, it is everything to place.»

«We could go all with my auto, there is no need to use two means, considering that we go to the same place.» it risked the inspector.

«I thank her, but I prefer to be autonomous and to leave free also her.»

The inspector shook Magrette the head. But it looks what it had to happen him: a strampalato Professor with a stranger family of him. And moreover its consultation was precious! Again it widened the braccias, resigned.

«It is better perhaps that her Mrs. Lepitpat travels in auto with me, it will certainly dark be comfortable. Would it make me this honor?»

«Inspector, as is polite! I would accept gladly, but without me he doesn't go from any part. The Professor doesn't drive, therefore.»

For thousand reeds of rifle! This also wanted us! The Mrs. to the guides of that grinds! Who knows when and if you/they would have arrived. The inspector, is useless to hide him/it, you/he/she was worried indeed and also irritated for that situation, but again you have to make good face to bad game.

«When it is so, I believe that we can depart. I have brought her a map of the zone so, if we had to lose us sight, he/she knows the road that has to cross. I have marked her in red.» it told the Professor handing him a road map.

«We won't lose there, coop calm. We will follow her footstep footstep.»

"And is really this the point!" you/he/she would have liked to reply the inspector.

In fact, the grungy car of the Professor, rather of Mrs. Lepitpat, it would certainly have arrancato along the whole road, while his, to new Jeep of mint, would have found it hard to walk her behind, for the slowness with which you/they would have proceeded. It resigned and it climbed in car.

They finally departed.

# . Toward the bifurcate Mountains

Along the government road the topomobile seemed to dart as the wind with the ears of Pin that fluttered from the car window and the music to all volume. But, just gone out to the alternative that conducted to the Bifurcate Mountains, it began to laboriously advance. They practically walked to footstep of man and the inspector, that it followed them to some meter of distance, it started indeed to lose the patience. With that walk you/they would not have arrived before lunch.

Suddenly he/she saw the arrow of right of the topomobile flash, then the car approached and he stopped.

The Professor gone down, then, as a lightning, jumped out Pin and in last descents Lulù. Some second as soon as and also the counter of the side driver opened and her Mrs. Lepitpat came out.

Now they were here is to the suit, he/she thought the inspector Magrette. What could have happened? It also approached the car and descents him.

«Professor there is problems?» churches worried.

«Any problem, needed only to stretch us some the legs. Do we start to have a certain appetite besides, can we stay from some part to make a snack?»

The inspector didn't believe in his/her own ears. You/they had departed from few more than a hour and it already spoke to make a standstill for the lunch. To that point, seen how they were the things and the party that it accompanied him/it, definite to pick up him her with calm. Was not worth to be consumed himself/herself/themselves the liver for so little!

«Certain.» he/she answered always trying to sustain himself/herself/themselves calm. «To some kilometer from here you/he/she should be us a small restaurant. If for you it is all right, we can stay to have lunch there.»

«Perfect, it is still then useless losing time. Strength, all in car.» it ordered the Professor with authoritative voice.

They climbed again all on the topomobile and they were put again in march. Before riaffacciarsi to the car window, Pin him said two scratched of it behind the ears that were him almost you freeze for the cold.

After the standstill for the lunch, useless to underline him/it, there was that of the snack, then again that to stretch him some the legs and it already started to do dark. To that point the inspector, resigned, he thought that for that evening they would not be of certain arrivals to the reserve of the Calm Sleeps. You/he/she had just formulated that thought when the arrow of right of the topomobile flashed again and, even a second later, the car approached.

For thousand reeds of rifle, what other could have happened?

This time went down only from the car the Professor that he directed verse of him.

Inspector, he is doing dark, I believe that I/you/he/she am more prudent to stop us to rest nearby here in some place and to continue with calm morning tomorrow. For her it is all right?»

No, that didn't go well, but it was not able certain to be discourteous. Then it said that yes, ultrabene went and recommended a small hotel whether to stay himself/herself/themselves to sleep.

After one good night of sleep, the inspector Magrette had found again all of his/her patience, that was again well soon put to hard test. In fact to the eight in point, always as it is suitable him to a good police officer, he was ready to put on in march, but Lulù anchors he/she slept. Finally his/her eyes they woke up and you is had to attend the breakfast and naturally the digestive stroll.

The boy was not able of certain to climb in auto with the full belly!

Finally, toward the ten, they took back the march toward the destination. The topomobile went even more plain of the day before, if this was possible, and it seemed that it had to have been staying himself/herself/themselves for one minute to the other. When the slope did even more him steep the inspector temette that, instead of advancing, it slipped back dangerously. You maintained to the proper distance; if something its car had happened you/he/she would have stopped the run of the topomobile.

Contrarily to his/her bad forecasts they reached the reserve of the Calm Sleeps that was almost midday. When the inspector stopped the car in front of the entry of the Indian reserve you/he/she breathed a sigh of relief.

It had the nerves to fior of skin and the braccias they ached him for the nervous tension. It jumped down from the Jeep and it ran into the Professor.

«Eccoci now we go here to introduce us to the Great Head.»

«I call my nephew.»

«No, Professor, owes us to be alone two to introduce us. He/she knows, there are some precise rules of ceremonial to follow.»

«Certain, I forgot. And thing Mrs. Lepitpats will I give while we there am not?»

«You/they can make a turn for the village, they are also there of the small shops of craftsmanship. They will give around in short here a glance.»

The Professor Topi didn't answer, he didn't not at all like the idea to leave apart her Mrs. and his/her nephew.

«Inspector, she goes from the Great Head and announcements that I am here together with Lulù and to Mrs. Lepitpat. If he will want, you/he/she can receive all of us.»

The inspector didn't even try to beat, he already knew that you/he/she was useless to do him/it. You turned and he directed toward that that had to be the house of the Gran Head.

The Professor Topi together with her Mrs. Lepitpat, Lulù and Pin it started to stroll about for the small Indian village. It was a very beautiful place on a small clearing overhung by the Bifurcate Mountains. A great lake, from the calm and clear waters, it licked up the village. The houses, all of wood, one were lined up close to the other to form two long teams.

"It seems to be out of the world", he/she thought the Professor looking around himself/herself/itself. A calm atmosphere reigned and for an instant stentò to believe that what the inspector had told him was true. Didn't seem at all that on that people a maleficio reigned!

While it was making these silent reflections, you/he/she was reached by the inspector Magrette.

«Professor, Calm Sleep waits you for all and three in its house.»

«When it is so is go suffered, it doesn't need to let such an important guest to wait.»

They entered house of the Great Head and the faint light of the room immediately struck them. Calm sleep was sat behind a great table, with the braccias conserte. It had the serious face, framed by long white hair and the so small eyes that seemed two pins. Lulù immediately frightened him and he hid behind his/her uncle, while Pin, in turn, he hid behind of him.

«Augh!» it said the great head

«Augh!» the Professor answered making a light bow. «I am honorable to know her/it.»

«You segga.» it said Calm Sleep pointing out a place close to him. Then takings a great pipe and it began to turn on her/it. "Oddio!" immediately thought the Professor, if her about Mrs. Lepitpat was complained for the foul smell of The smokes, the Great Head would certainly be offended! You turned and it looked at her/it Mrs. casting her to meaningful glance, but she ignored him/it completely.

«I see that you/he/she is accompanied by his/her family.» it said Calm Sleep handing the pipe to the Professor. «This gives me joy and it makes me believe that she is a wise and good man.»

«Thanks Great Head, its words heat me the heart.» he/she answered, then said two light pipatines, not to make himself/herself/themselves come the cough.

«I imagine that this young man both his/her child and her Mrs. his/her bride.»

Mrs. Lepitpat became as to pepper red. To have exchanged for the wife of the Professor, that emotion!

«No, not exactly.» he/she immediately specified the Professor. «The boy is the child of my sister, but by now I considers him/it as my child and her Mrs. Lepitpat you/he/she is my precious collaborator. I have wanted that came with me to know and to appreciate your culture.»

«Your words strengthen my idea on you. Now however, sees the time, I would propose to take a seat to table and to discuss subsequently some strange facts what they happen in our village.»

The Professor nodded, in effects you/he/she started to hear a certain languor to the stomach and you/he/she imagined that also Lulù had to have" appetite in the belly." The only one, needless to say him, not to agree with that decision was the inspector Magrette. With the Professor Poltron, rather with his/her nephew, he didn't do anything else other than to eat! He was clearly careful not to express his/her opinion, he/she didn't want to offend the Great Head. Therefore it followed the small gang in another room, where a prepared table waited for them.

«This is my family.» it said the Great Head. «My child, swarms him/it I Never Sleep, and his/her wife, Moon that Shines. And this is our future, my little niece Small Flower of the Morning.»

The Professor and her Mrs. Lepitpats made to light bow and they went to take to seat. Lulù, instead, unaware of all that what is suitable it said a" hi" to tall voice and it arranged him close to Small Flower. The inspector, mugugnando, sat him next to I Never Sleep, that, to say really truth, was busy such a frowning expression even a police officer.

After once that to the inspector Magrette it seemed endless, the lunch had term and they returned again in the room of the reunions. Lulù and Pin remained, instead, with Small Flower of the Morning.

They arranged around the table and again the Great Head took the calumet and offered him/it to the Professor, that this time really it didn't feel him to smoke. However some smoke puffed and handed him/it to the inspector.

While he continued with that rite, Calm Sleep began again to speak.

«I am happy that a person of culture as her is offered to lend us a hand. It is time that we speak of what happens at night to the village.»

«Great Head, I don't know more a lot than knows her, but if I can be her of help I will be happy of it.»

«These words make her honor, but unfortunately none of us has succeeded in understanding what happens. My child himself, Sleeps Never, that is a great they swarm, you/he/she has not succeeded in discovering the causes of these mysterious thefts. Soon it will do dark and the darkness they will wind our village. When the moon will be tall in the sky our children they will begin to cry, prey to the panic. A wind of calamity has gotten depressed on our people!»

To those words her Mrs. Lepitpat felt to shiver of fear cross her back. The only thought to have to spend the night in that place terrorized her/it! It gave a pinch to the leg of the Professor that jumped above for the surprise. You turned and the expression that saw in the eyes of the Mrs. was pure of terror!

«Great Head,» it said then for reassuring everybody. «It is possible that now these strange thefts stop. Even our presence will clear the minds and everything this it will resolve him after one good night of sleep.»

«I would like that it was right, Professor Poltron, but by now they are nights and nights that dark shades upset the sleeps of our children. And she knows that if someone of us suffers it is as if we suffered all.»

To that point the Professor didn't know more than to say. It supported the chin on a hand and it began to reflect. What could you/he/she happen during the night and above all as happened without nobody warned nothing? It was this the crucial point, they had to discover the as and the why of that accadimentis. But how?

It got up from the chair and, as it was usual to do to house, it began to go on and back in the room, hoping that an intuition came to mind. But certain, was simple! To turn you/they would have made the watch and, if someone had come, of certain you/they would have realized.

It immediately communicated his/her idea to the Great Head and the inspector Magrette.

«It will need that to turn one of us are with a child while he/she is sleeping, so if someone will arrive, it will give the alarm and the problem you/he/she will be resolved!»

The inspector shook Magrette the head, was understood that the Professor didn't intend of investigations. If everything had been so simple as did it look out upon him/it him, then what you/they had gone to do there?

«My dear Professor, seems me to have her already said that the acchiappasognis fade away in the nothing. All have tried to look for traces of whatever type, but it seems that they dissolve him in the air.»

«Yes, certain, I had not thought there. Then it will need to restart again. Great Head, tells again me everything from the principle.»

«It needs that I/you/he/she begin from the legend of these small objects to us sacred. But she perhaps knows already her.»

The Professor was struck dumb. No that it didn't know her/it or at least if he/she didn't not at all remember her/it. And now that figure would have done? Naturally if it didn't feel her/it to tell a lie the Great Head and it was almost about to admit his/her ignorance, when her Mrs. Lepitpat intervened.

«Some that the Professor knows her/it, has brought also the relative notes. Here here.» it said her/it Mrs., throwing out burdens sheets from the purse.

«Fresh cloud,» it began to read with clear voice. «A small baby of the People Cheyenne, told one day his/her mother, Last Sigh of the Evening": When he/she lives me the night, a blacker bird of the same night often comes to feed himself/herself/themselves, pecking at piece for piece my body; until arrivals you, without being seen, as the wind, to chase him/it street. I feel you, but I don't understand what both everything this!" With the breath of the heart maternal Last Sigh of the Evening heated the tremors of Fresh Cloud saying": they call Dreams, the volatile black that climbs from the depth is the white shade that comes to save you"!. "But I would like the good shade"!. Then his/her mother, knowing that you/he/she would have been unfair to close it brings her/it to the internal ear, it invented a round net to fish the Dreams in the Lake of the night, and it gave her power of" to distinguish" the good Dreams from those bad. Ended the job, Last Sigh of the Evening attached the object on the bed of Fresh Cloud and all the babies." Was it this the legend of which you spoke, Great Head?»

«Certain! Good Mrs., it is indeed to good assistant.»

The Professor breathed a sigh of relief, again her Mrs. Lepitpat had found the solution to one problem of his.

«Therefore,» started over speaking Calm Sleep. «It will understand well Professor and also her Inspector, that the disappearance of the acchiappasognis is not only a mystery, but it makes us fear to have I set a curse, as if bad shades wound us during the night.»

«Yes, Great Head. But has something happened in the last times that this state of things could have provoked?»

Calm sleep shaken the head. No, nothing different from the usual life had happened in the last times. He/she asked to I Never Sleep and also him you have to be worthwhile that any fact" special" you/he/she was happened in the last weeks. They had however prayed and danced in front of the fire more than the usual one, to try to get further the malignant spirits. But this could be only a good, it was worthwhile the Professor.

In the meantime the evening went down bringing with itself all the fears of the small village. The only one that didn't not at all seem upset by that atmosphere of anguish was Lulù that together with Small Flower of the Morning you/he/she had spent the afternoon to paint. While the small tribe prepared him to pray again in front of the fire, the Professor it tried to elaborate a plan with the inspector Magrette. It suggested to surround the beds of his/her/their children with so many bells, so that, if someone had drawn near to them, the bells would have wakened up them and, the mystery would perhaps, be discovered. Idea was not so wicked then, it was worthwhile the inspector. It needed immediately to report her/it to Calm Sleep and to I Never Sleep.

So also they went to take a seat around the fire close to the Great Head and to his/her child, they swarm him/it.

The show was fascinating, the rhythm of the drums did more and more him pressing and the men mimed propitiatory gestures to attract the good fate on the tribe.

Lulù was spellbound from that strange dance, from the rhythm of the drums and from the games of light that were projected on the bodies of the dancers by the bonfire around which you/they circled. It slipped on all four from his/her place to go next to his/her uncle. A sleeve of the jacket threw him to attract its attention and I remained there, firm to four feet, waiting that he turned. After the nth pushed, finally the Professor he turned verse of him.

«Lulù,» it said in a low voice, not to disturb the ceremony «you Need something?»

«No, uncle Mice. I want to also dance me.»

For thousand singed pipes, that missed only us! Didn't even dare to imagine his/her nephew to dance as a madman to the center of the footstep, who knows thing would have thought the Great Head!

«I am sorry it, but you are not able.» it whispered as soon as.

«Because no?»

«Because it is not a dance as those that you do you. Now you do the good one and it returns to your place.»

But Lulù didn't seem convinced of the brief explanation and it pushed again the jacket of the Professor.

«Uncle Mice, but I know how to also dance so!»

For all the feathers of the headgear Indian, what had put on in head that boy! Again the Professor, with calm, it tried to explain that it was not possible and again Lulù insistette. Their chiacchiericcio had, in the meantime, attracted the attention of the Great Head that looked at them with disapproval. The inspector, acknowledging himself/herself/itself the situation, it made sign, the index bringing himself/herself/itself in front of the mouth, to make silence. The Professor had a gesture of impatience, now you/he/she also started us the police officer complicating the things.

It slipped back slowly in such way to find himself/herself/themselves the nephew of forehead.

«Lulù, these gentlemen are not dancing only,» it tried to explain. «You/they are also praying.»

The expression in the eyes of Lulù was between the wonder and the incredulity.

«You say bugi, uncle, is not so that you/he/she is prayed.»

Could the life of a poor retired Professor become more complicated than this way? he/she wondered discouraged the Professor Poltron. His/her nephew was stubborn as a mule, when you/he/she put on in head a thing. but there was not at that time time to give dark explanations detailed.

«Listen well to me Lulù: you cannot dance and here the discourse is closed.» it said with hard voice, not finding, at that time, best solutions to put elegant to the discussion.

«But.» it risked Lulù.

«Nothing but. It is so, stings and enough. Now it returns to your place.»

With great wonder of the Professor, Lulù didn't object and slipped back for returning next to Small Flower of the Morning. "Strange", he/she thought the Professor," Lulù is not generally dissuaded so easily." Smiled pleased, convinced that the authoritative tone of its voice had dissuaded his/her nephew from its dancing intentions. And yes, he/she knew us to do him with the boys.

But Lulù, that didn't easily convince him so much in effects, above all when it didn't understand the why of a refusal, you/he/she had thought about turning to somebody else. He/she returned to his/her place quatto quatto and, once close to Small Flower of the Morning, churches to her the why of that strange dance and the reason for which he could not participate you.

The child didn't know how to find a valid motive that prevented Lulù to dance, so the boy got up of release and reached the dancers around the bonfire. It began to wag being clumsily imitated what you/they did the others, but well soon its movements became fluid. Its feet skipped about some here and some there, the braccias lifted as for a prayer and the closed eyes as in an ecstasy.

When the Professor saw his/her nephew almost dance the takings a hit. The Mrs. moments Lepitpat fainted for the nervousness and the inspector it began to sweat seven shirts.

"What will happen now?" he/she wondered the desperate police officer. The Great Head would certainly have angered for that that an offense could be considered to its people and its traditions and you/he/she would certainly have chased them. Him, a select police officer of the U.S.T.I., you/he/she would have been sent away by the tribe and that dishonor so much you/he/she would not easily have been cancelled. Closed the eyes resigned, by now his/her career you/he/she was ended there, in that precise instant, in front of a bonfire.

He almost felt like crying!

Slowly The lilt of the drums decreased up to stop completely. The prayer was ended and the men stopped him in front of the Great Head, in sign of respect. The inspector didn't dare reopen the eyes and to look the Great Head, the Professor and her/it at Mrs. Lepitpat they held back the breath. Lulù, instead, satisfied of his/her dance, it bent him in front of Calm Sleep and it returned next to Small Flower of the Morning. Around the bonfire, that he softly went extinguishing, the tribe of the Calm Sleeps waited that the Great Head pronounced the words of thanks and leave for that night.

«Augh!» it said Calm Sleep. «What the Spirit of the ancestors protects our sleep and that of our children.»

«Augh!» the dancers answered in choir, then they dismissed him.

After that the Great Head got up and looked at the Professor. Its eyes were as soon as two cracks and a shiver of cold it crossed Professor Mice's back.

«I am honorable that his/her nephew has wanted to share with us the customs and the prayers. Goes down on you a serene and refreshing sleep.»

Says this he turned and, together with I Never Sleep, it reentered in his/her house.

Plain Plan all the inhabitants of the small village followed him/it and the Professor remained next to the ashes of the bonfire together with her Mrs. Lepitpat, Lulù, naturally Pin and the inspector Magrette that you/he/she persisted him to hold the closed eyes.

«Inspector, but has you/he/she fallen asleep?» he/she asked the Professor Poltron. It seemed that the man had become a statue of stone, so much was immovable.

Slowly the inspector reopened the eyes, rather first one, so to give a peek, and then the other.

«Where the others are?» churches, seeing that their had remained only.

«All have gone to sleep. On you get up, it is late and it starts to be cold.»

«And the Great Head? Where has you/he/she gone?»

The Professor Poltron puffed: this Inspector was hard, didn't understand really thing was said!

«I repeat her that all have gone in bed.»

«What you/he/she has said of his/her nephew?»

«What honorable is of the fact that has danced with them.»

The inspector looked at the Professor Topi with rolled air.

«It is certain that has said so, that is not raged?»

The Professor consented with conviction and the police officer, even if hardly, the credettes.

«But has you/he/she spoken to him? How is you/he/she seemed him his/her idea of the bells?»

«Ah! No, I have not had the time of it. We see how tonight goes and tomorrow we decides.»

«Uncle Mice, the eyes dormonooo!» Lulù intervened.

«Yes, you are right. It starts to go within with her Mrs. Lepitpat, The wills as later to give you the good night.»

«Professor, the case doesn't seem me to linger out here still. Strength, Inspector Magrette, gets up and we goes inside.» it told her/it Mrs. Lepitpat, that already began to fear the shades of the night.

The inspector finally took back him from the state of numbness in which you/he/she was fallen and, with the legs some shaky ones, he threw on.

A few minutes they were in bed later already all and the small village sank in the dark.

The night was illuminated only by a segment of moon and by a mantle of stars.

# The mystery of the disappeared acchiappasognis

What happened to the first lights of the dawn brought new developments to the case and it upset even more the life of the tribe.

All quietly slept, except the Great Head and his/her child they swarm him/it, because, he/she is known, the great heads and the sciamanis never sleep; the sky already started to light up himself/herself/themselves when a cry tore the quiet of the village.

The Professor Poltron jumped from the bed with the heart that beat strong in his breast; her Mrs. Lepitpat threw the sheet up to the head and the hair they were straightened her as you spin voters. The inspector inserted out him the pantalonis and runs to see what had happened. Lulù, instead, if he/she quietly slept her/it despite the yelps of Pin that you/he/she had gone to shelter him under his/her bed.

In men that the village is not said it became animated. All went out to see what you/he/she was happening, but the terrible cry other was not but the moan of all the children of the tribe that you/they woke up prey to the fear.

The acchiappasognis were again disappeared!

«Professor, the situation does even more him serious. I believe that we have to examine the new developments. You dresses and reaches me to house. Also her, Inspector.» it said the Great Head.

The Professor realized to have I set only the pajamas and immediately runs within to dress himself/herself/themselves and to settle himself/herself/themselves. Before approaching himself/herself/themselves from Calm Sleep, it slightly knocked to the door of Mrs. Lepitpat to verify that same good.

«Who is?» he/she asked her/it Mrs. that he still felt all upset for the abrupt awakening.

«Providences, are me! Is everything all right?»

«Oddio Professor!» it said her/it Mrs. opening the door. «I feel upside-down me all. What fear I have had. What has happened?»

«The acchiappasognis are again disappeared. The situation worsens!» it limited him to say the Professor Topi. «The inspector and I are going from the Great Head to discuss on the to make himself/herself/themselves.»

«Aspects, I come. also»

«And Lulù?»

«He/she sleeps deeply. You don't worry him, among some I will return to check if you/he/she wakes up.»

In the room of the meetings everybody was gathered already. Over the Great Head and his/her child there were also the old Essays of the tribe. Their faces were dark and in the room it burdened a dark atmosphere.

The Great Head lifted the hand and did her/it rotate in air. The murmur immediately stopped and all looked with attention toward of him.

«Brothers, how much has happened to the first lights of the dawn it throws me in the deepest discouragement.» it said Calm Sleep with serious voice. «The situation is very more worrisome than we thought and we have perhaps underestimated these strange phenomenons. Tonight we will pick up there around the fire and we will pray in special way because the Spirits of the nature protect us.

Now sees the gravity of the situation, I believe the moment has come to smoke the Sacred Pipe to wake up again the spiritual powers of the universe.»

The Great Head got up and went toward a suspended reliquary to the wall. It opened her with care, it threw out a small pipe of it and it returned to take a seat.

The inspector Magrette looked at the Professor setting him some molts questions: you/he/she realized that the moment was solemn, all the Wise man attentively followed every gesture that completed Calm Sleep but it was not him clear the importance of that object.

The Professor widened the eyes and made a gesture with his hand, to make to intend him that later the meaning of that ceremony would have explained him. But the inspector, impatient, it slowly slipped toward of him.

«Professor, wants to explain me what is happening?» he/she asked in a low voice.

«Inspector, this is a solemn moment! Could not you/he/she wait for the end of the ceremony?» he/she asked irritated.

«No, tells me now.»

«This pipe serves to wake up again the Spirits of the nature and to ask their protection. Its use gets further the evil, it assures the victory and it provokes the defeat of the enemies. You/he/she is very rarely used, in the moments of great joy, to thank, or in the moments of great pain, as in this case, to ask help. Is it satisfied now?»

The inspector nodded and returned, lemme lemme, to his/her place.

In the meantime the Great Head had loaded the pipe with the tobacco and it was almost about to turn on her/it, when, to the sudden one, it opened the door. All the bystanders turned him to see who dared to disturb that solemn ceremony. Some second as soon as and Lulù entered, dressed and combed of all point, with to the succession, naturally, Pin.

«Good morning uncle Mice, hi Great Head.» he/she happily greeted.

The inspector Magrette strabuzzò the eyes for the surprise. Was not possible! That boy had the gift to sprout when less you/he/she was opportune. Dams again the eyes: he/she didn't want to see how the Great Head would have reacted.

«Lulù, does thing do us here?» he/she asked the Professor, gotten back him by the surprise.

«I have to go from Small Flower, it waits me.»

«Great Head, wants to forgive mine.»

Calm sleep lifted the hand and the Professor it immediately kept silent.

«Good morning Lulù.» it said with kind voice. «You would like to make me the honor to participate in our ceremony?»

To those words the inspector opened the eyes of release. Could not be what had just felt: a boy sat to the great table, no, was never happened!

The Professor looked at Calm Sleep some surprised by that strange application and you/he/she was almost about to answer when the man prevented him/it.

«Professor would be a great privilege to have his/her nephew to this table, if you/he/she allows him/it.»

«I allow him/it.» it said the Professor Topi some confused. «Other would miss us, but he/she sees. it is only to boy.»

«Note; it is a pure of heart and this the spirits they will appreciate him/it.»

«Yes, but he doesn't smoke.» it still objected the Professor.

«It doesn't have to smoke, but only to pretend.»

Lulù was in silence and it bewared on one side to the other without understanding what they wanted from him. Because it had to be in that dark room, with those people all series, instead of going out to play with the other boys?

«Then Lulù, rests some with us?» he/she asked his/her uncle to gratify Calm Sleep.

«Also Pin has to be here?»

«If you want, you/he/she can stay.»

«It is all right, but I remain only a few; I have to go to fish and they wait me.» it said Lulù, a little convinced.

The ceremony took back and the Great Head turned on the Sacred Pipe, said two thrown of it and it passed nearby her to the companion. The pipe kept on turning around the table up to when it came in the hands of Lulù.

«For dream that I smoke!» it told the boy tall voice.

Again the cold went down in the room and again the reaction of the Great Head surprised everybody.

«You don't have to smoke, but only to pretend.»

Took Lulù the pipe between the hands and the approached reluctant to the mouth. "That horrible malodorous thing!" he/she thought some schifato. It pretended to smoke however, dopodiché passed" the object" to the companion that sat nearby him.

The pipe started over making the turn of the table up to when he/she returned in the hands of the Great Head. To this point you/he/she was extinguished and put aside.

«Brothers,» it began to speak Calm Sleep. «It is necessary to examine.»

«I can go?» he/she asked Lulù, that already began to become impatient to the thought that his/her new friends were waiting for him/it to go to fish.

«Certain, we are you thankful to have remained with us, but now, if you want, you can go.»

Lulù if it didn't do him/it repeat twice, it got up and, followed by Pin, raced by Small Flower of the Morning.

In the great room the reunion was as soon as to the beginning and the Great Head he/she took again the word.

«Brothers, as I was saying, it is necessary to examine to fund the situation to the light of the new developments, unfortunately negative. What has happened to the dawns of the morning is of a gravity to a little puzzling dir.»

The inspector Magrette looked again toward the Professor Topi, not succeeding in understanding what there pits of different from the thefts of the preceding nights. To that point the Professor Topi felt him in duty to clarify that point and takings the word.

«Forgiven me, Great Head, if I interrupt you, but I would like to examine the facts so that to find together a solution. You are right to define the situation very worrisome; the nighttime thefts were in fact of well different entity. The thing does him serious and we are not able in any way to allow that these thefts continue to happen.»

To that point the inspector lost the patience. Before the Sacred Pipe, then the boy and the Great Head with his/her sibylline words and, as if everything this was not enough, now also put on us the Professor! What did he/she want us to talk to clarity? Besides was not able more than to be closed to the dark of it, in a room afflicted of I smoke to speak at random! He was a man of action. You/he/she would certainly have been more profit to go to make some sopralluoghis and to try to discover the possible traces of the possible thief to put an end to that complicated matter.

It got up standing and taken the word. «My dear Professor, comes therefore to the. All these beautiful words don't bring us to the solution of the problem, therefore, if it doesn't have anything to add, I propose to interrupt the session. It is more urgent to develop the investigations on the field, rather than to discuss on the to make himself/herself/themselves.»

Oh! You/he/she had finally said what he/she thought. He felt better now, even if suddenly tired.

«Inspector, has some patience, the investigations we will do her among a few minutes. To individualize a guilty needs to understand the motive that pushes him/it to act. And we am really doing this.»

«Then I am not aware of it. Does he/she want me therefore to explain what there is of different from the other times?»

«Certain, you/he/she is done soon. The preceding thefts happened late at night while this has happened to the first lights of the dawn.»

«Professor, she perhaps thinks that I am a fool. Didn't want us a granché to understand that the time was different, considering that also I have wakened up by the moans of his/her/their children.»

«Uffa, Inspector, but she is really a large head! The answer is evident, enough only to think about thing they serve the acchiappasognis!» sbottò the Professor.

To that point her Mrs. Lepitpat, that you/he/she had remained in to fireside (because, he/she is known, the women cannot participate in the reunions of the Wise hand) regardless of the ceremonial, it got up and it went next to the table.

«Inspector Magrette, marvels me of her. A police officer of the special team U.S.T.I. that doesn't examine the facts! The answer could give her/it for you one any of the children of the tribe.»

The inspector was ashamed of his/her slowness, but he didn't succeed really to understand the difference between the thefts of the preceding nights and that of the morning.

«If a few had thought on the legend of the acchiapasognis you/he/she would have understood alone the difference.» it continued her/it Mrs. Lepitpat. «Someone has stolen the acchiappassognis of his/her/their children allowing to go out out their nightmares, and until there were here everybody. Now this mysterious thief wants to appropriate of all the dreams, beautiful and ugly, leaving his/her children without their white shades, in which are softly cradled during the sleep. Doesn't it seem her that the situation is serious even more?»

The police officer looked her/it at Mrs. esterrefatto! You/he/she had not thought at all on that aspect of the case. "For all the guns of the district, the case becomes more and more complicated!" he/she thought the inspector.

«Mrs., she has clarified very better the circumstances than The would have been able to I give me same.» it said the Great Head, admired by the perspicacity of Mrs. Lepitpat forgiving even her to have intervened breaking the ceremonial. «To this point I believe both better suspending the reunion and to leave the free inspector to develop his/her investigations. We will gather again us in the afternoon to discuss some new developments, admitted that they are of it. Your presence, Mrs., will be essential.»

Mrs. Lepitpat was I know excited not to be succeeded in speaking and slightly nodded with the head, to make to intend that it would not be missed.

The meeting loosened him and each went to attend to his/her own matters.

The inspector Magrette and the Professor Topi brought him in the houses of the Indians to make some sopralluoghis. Naturally it is useless to underline him/it, also her Mrs. Lepitpat went with them. To that point of the investigations its presence was fundamental, considering that it was the only one to have clear the situation.

In the meantime the women of the village were all busy ones to prepare some acchiappasognis for their children: before the calar of the evening you/they had to be sets under their pillows.

The life of the village, despite what happened at night, it quietly proceeded. Lulù was busy for the whole day and forgot even the hunger wolves, so much you/he/she was taken by his/her new friends. Went even to school with them, really him that didn't love to study! Naturally Pin followed him/it to every footstep.

In the afternoon, the Professor and all the others gathered again him, but the inspector didn't have any novelty on the investigations. They granted to put the campanellinis around every bed of his/her/their children however. It was not of certain a police routine, but the inspector didn't know how to suggest better nothing of.

And the evening went down again, bringing shades and fears. His/her children didn't want to go in bed and his/her mothers were close to them up to when you/they had not fallen asleep.

The men, had turned on instead a new bonfire to pray, and to ingratiate the Spirits of the nature. But that evening Lulù didn't even think us about to dance; it was too much tired and its eyes already slept deeply, therefore it went to lie down being ignored the dances.

# After having prayed and danced, all went to sleep. The inspector and the Professor inserted him in their beds, dressed of all point so that to intervene to the first tinkling.

#

#

#

# A wrong calculation

The first lights of the dawn illuminated the sky and any campanellinos you/he/she had played. The Professor, that had slept with an open eye and one closed, thought that its idea had worked and the mysterious thief, acknowledging himself/herself/itself the clever antifurto, you/he/she had desisted from its thievish intentions. "That intelligent man I am!" he/she thought satisfied. It didn't have the time to rejoyce of his/her clever idea that a long moan stormed in the air. All the children of the tribe woke up in tears: the acchiappasognis were again disappeared!

For all the singed pipes, who could be never so skilled from to escape the control of his/her antifurto? It went off standing and he fell out, where the inspector Magrette was already found.

«There risiamo Professor. The bells have not rung and the thief has come the same. I believe that I/you/he/she am better to surrender himself/herself/themselves to the evidence: this is indeed a maleficio!»

«Suvvia Ispettore, but that goes saying? Because a spirit should ever take him does he/she intrigue her/it to steal the dreams from his/her/their children? There will be an explanation to everything this, it owes us to be!»

The Professor, despite the brain he became enraged, he/she didn't succeed in understanding what happened during the night, or better, to the first lights of the dawn.

He/she left the inspector to his/her investigations that so much, he/she already knew him/it, they didn't bring anything, and it went to knock to the door of Mrs. Lepitpat.

«Providence, is awake?» he/she asked in a low voice.

The door opened and went out a pale Mrs. Lepitpat with all astute the hair on the head.

«Professor, believes that I will die of fear one of these nights. Has anchor happened, it is not so?» he/she asked, also already knowing the answer.

The Professor widened the braccias resigned. «According to her as ago the thief to steal the acchiappasognis and, above all, as can you/he/she be so fast?»

«My dear Professor, has to confess her that I don't have idea of it. It is true that his/her children are not then so many, but it takes the time to enter house to steal and then to slink away out. Yet his/her children cry together almost all. Then the hypotheses could be two: or I am more thieves or this individual or this thing it is fast as the wind.» it shivered to the only thought that could be a spirit. «I don't know how to tell more her.»

«It is not very, but it is already something. Comes, we go from the Great Head; they will be already all runitis.»

Needless to say that neither the wise man reunions, neither the investigations of the inspector seemed to bring new elements for the solution of the case. The days meanwhile they passed and his/her children became more and more melancholy. They didn't feel like anymore playing, neither to study or to draw: they didn't have imagination anymore. And a child without imagination is worse of a very sad adult.

The small village lived times of anguish, his/her mothers watched over their children up to when they fell in a sleep from which, by now, they woke up without dreams, neither good neither you win.

Every night the tribe of the Calm Sleeps turned on a bonfire to pray and to dance around him, but the things didn't change. The great one they swarm he felt defeated in front of that state of things and you/he/she had decided to abandon the tribe": If one they swarm he/she doesn't know how to take care of his/her own people, it is not worthy of such title", he/she thought I Never Sleep. Everything seemed to go worse and worse.

Also the inspector Magrette wanted to return in the city and to file the case as" unsolved", but Professor Poltron's insistences dissuaded him/it.

«A captain never abandons the ship, even when you/he/she sinks!» the Professor Topi told him. «What kind of police officer it is if so easily discourages him?»

This way the inspector remained and I doesn't also Sleep Never, convinced also him from the Professor with the same identical words that you/he/she had told the police officer. But two nobody knew about the other and so Poltron was been able to repeat, passing for wise with both.

As already says, the days passed slow and the sadness of the minds did more and more him deep. Nobody succeeded in a small opening of light in that tunnels dark in which the small village of the Calm Sleeps had slipped.

Luckily her Mrs. Lepitpat found the solution. By chance, to say the truth, but however the worth was his.

Here as the things they went.

They were all reunited ones to discuss around the table of the meetings, even if there was by now few of which to speak, when the door opened and followed Lulù appeared, as always, from Pin.

«Good morning to all!» he/she happily greeted.

Did the inspector puff become impatient; because never that boy had to interrupt them when he wanted? Because it didn't enter house from the other door? It was almost about to say him/it when her Mrs. Lepitpat got up and went toward the boy.

«Good morning Lulù, where are you going?»

«From Small Flower of the Morning. I have to ask her if he/she wants to come to the lake with me and Pin.»

«They are also there the other children?»

«No, there is no anybody, I am alone.»

«How come?»

«Because nobody wants to play.»

«And because?»

«Because they are all sad ones.»

To those words, in the head of Mrs. ignited Lepitpat to light bulb.

«And you are not sad?» he/she asked then to Lulù.

«No, me no. Because I have to be sad?»

«I don't know him/it, even because nobody wants to come with you.»

Lulù made spallucce and then he/she answered. «It doesn't care, there is Pin with me and also the fishes of the lake.»

«Good Lulù, goes now. If nobody will come to make you company it returns here and we will go together with to fish.»

The boy smiled. She was kind Mrs. Lepitpat, but he wanted to be with his/her friends.

«Mr., rather, brothers.» it began her/it Mrs.. «The only person of the village not to be melancholy is Lulù. And it is him the solution of our problems.»

«Providence, but what is saying! Lulù is only a boy!» it protested the Professor.

«Certain, but it is a happy boy.»

«Other would miss us! It is my nephew!» it said the Professor, so, so much to specify the relative.

«Augh!» the deep voice of Calm Sleep boomed in the air. «Professor, allows to speak her/it Mrs.. You can say what he/she wants only after having listened to her/it.»

«Therefore, as I was saying, Lulù is the only one that keeps on quietly sleeping and it is not unhappy at all. I also have to say that he has never had an acchiappasogni and this is already an advantage. However we could try to give him one of it and to be to see what happens.»

«But Mrs., the acchiappasognis macaws halo for his/her/their children!» the inspector intervened. It had indeed of it enough of all the oddness of that woman.

The Professor, felt instead him as, lightened by those words. Good heavens, her Mrs. was right!

«The idea of Providence is excellent, rather genial!» it said the Professor and this time her Mrs. it didn't blush; by now you/he/she had gotten used to these small confidences between them. «Lulù, as our Great Head has defined him/it, it is a pure of heart. You/he/she could have his/her acchiappasogni even if it is not a child neither so much less Indian. And then we will be to see what happens.»

The Great Head and his/her child, swarm him/it, they started to speak in a low voice with the Wise man. They spoke to dense rent and him he/she didn't succeed in understanding nothing of that that said. It finally seemed that you/they had taken a decision.

«Our tribe has established that Lulù can have an acchiappasogni. Moon that Shines will also realize for him one of it and you will put him/it to you under its pillow. This has been definite and this will be done.»

What had been happening for that night in then a legend and Lulù became well soon his/her hero.

But it needs to have some patience and to tell from the beginning as the facts they developed him.

That same day, Moon that Shines made an acchiappasogni for Lulù and the evening her Mrs. Lepitpat it set him/it under the pillow, to the insaputa of the boy. The Professor and the inspector slept on the armchairs of the small adjoining stay to the room of Lulù, to be ready to every eventuality. It was a long and difficult night, also because the Professor's eye, what the assignment had to watch over, didn't want really to be awake. And in fact it also fell asleep it. When the Professor he woke up it was by now done day. He/she jumped from the armchair and it pushed the inspector, that blissfully slept. But looks what kind of police officer! Instead of watching over on the safety of his/her nephew calm ronfava.

«Inspector he wakes up, it is already day.»

«Uhm. thing? Is it day? As it is possible that we have slept so much?»

«I don't know him/it. Soon you get up, and we go to check as my nephew it is.» it said the worried Professor.

They opened the door of the room with the heart in throat. They entered point of feet and they directed him toward the bed. Did Lulù sleep deeply spaparanzato in the bed, with Pin crouched to his/her feet and. but thing there was under the arm of Lulù? The Professor shouted frightened and that being squirted away in a lightning.

«Lulù, as are you, what was there in your bed?»

«Uhm. uncle Mice, because you have frightened my friend?»

«Friend, which friend? I/you/they have not even succeeded in seeing what it was.»

«Uncle, my eyes still sleep, I tell you him later.»

«No, now you lift yourself and thing tells me has happened tonight and who this friend is.»

«Uff., but it is soon!»

«Soon or no, you will do as I say. And you, Pin, goes down suffered by the bed!»

The dog ignored completely the Professor and you/he/she crouched better him to the feet of Lulù. In the meantime her Mrs. Lepitpat appeared, that had been wakened by that uproar.

«Professor, that happens? Is Lulù badly?» he/she asked worried.

«No, it is very well, but he/she doesn't want to get up.»

«And because you/he/she should ever get up so early? We don't have any appointment, the boy can keep on sleeping.»

«Something has happened.»

«Sccc.. Professor, listening.»

The Professor extended the ears, but he didn't hear anything.

«I don't feel anything, what is there?» churches, immediately to the alert one.

«Nothing.» it said her/it Mrs.. «There is no anything strange, but only something different.»

«And that is?!?» he/she immediately asked the inspector, that was not able more than those sentences that say and they don't say and they don't explain anything of it.

«But it is really this the point. It is everything calm, the village sleeps.»

«Beh, is soon, it seems entirely me normal.»

«Uffa, Inspector! Sharpen some the talent! His/her children don't cry and this means that nobody has stolen their acchiappasognis.»

"Perdindirindina, this woman is right!" he/she thought the inspector with disappointment. You/he/she would have had to be him to make that observation and instead a ruler, more eccentric and with an improbable last name, you/he/she had been better. It pretended of nothing, but you have to be worthwhile among itself and itself, that the consideration was exact.

«Inspector, is go suffered by the Great Head; later we will verify there if the hypothesis of the Mrs. you/he/she is correct. Lifted Lulù, has to come with me.» the Professor exhorted again him.

But Lulù, taking advantage of the discussion in progress, you/he/she had crouched again and he/she blissfully dozed; he liked a lot of to bask himself/herself/themselves in the bed, postponing only also of a few the moment to get up. In more Pin made him a calorino no evil on the feet. In short his/her eyes really they didn't want to wake up him.

«Professor, leaves alone the boy; we will wake up him/it later. Now we go from Calm Sleep.» it proposed the inspector, that didn't see the necessity to bring them Lulù.

This way all and three went out of the room, blissfully leaving Lulù spaparanzato in the bed, forgetting even to check if its acchiappasogni was still found under the pillow.

To understand the solution of the case, has now, to make back a footstep and to see what had happened during the preceding days.

After the ceremony of the Sacred Pipe, Lulù had gone to look for Small Flower of the Morning, but the child was not in vein to play. This way not at all discouraged, you/he/she had taken the fishing reed and you/he/she had gone to the lake. To say the truth he of fishing didn't know really nothing: it needed to throw the fishing-line inside the water and to wait for a little that the fishes. This rarely happened, so after some you/he/she was annoyed and you/he/she had stopped fishing. But to return to the village didn't speak; there they were all melancholy ones and him it felt like playing. This way, together with Pin, is sat in shore to the lake being careful not to bathe himself/herself/themselves, to throw some small stones that you/he/she had picked up around there and to see that beautiful looks for that ago the water when it falls us inside something. Then a rustle had attracted its attention. You/he/she was turned and you/he/she had seen to go out of a tree cable, really a stonesthrow from him, a strange animal that had gone to plunge himself/herself/themselves in the lake. Lulù had been spellbound to look at him/it: swam really well, almost better of him! You/he/she had waited that went out from the water, then you/he/she had taken his/her banana, the snack that had given her/it for him Mrs. Lepitpat, had bit removed of it and you/he/she had gone nearby him. There for there the animal you/he/she had escaped, but slowly you/he/she had drawn near then to Lulù, and, with a hit of leg, you/he/she had made to fall the piece of earth banana, you/he/she had caught him/it and you/he/she was raced toward the lake. With the anterior legs you/he/she had inserted the banana in the water and you/he/she had begun to wash her/it. Didn't Lulù believe in his/her eyes: because it washed the fruit? If you/he/she had been an apple you/he/she would have understood him/it, but a banana there was not need to wash her/it. Plain Plan had drawn near to that kind of orsetto.

«But what do you do? Don't be soap! It is fruit, you have to eat her/it.»

The orsetto had lifted the pale grey face and you/he/she had looked at him/it with its dark eyes. After that you/he/she had eaten the banana.

«Good! Do you feel as it is good? Now I give another of it few.» You/he/she had taken the banana, you/he/she had removed another bit of it and it had him I bring to the orsetto. Again the animal was raced I pour the water, you/he/she had washed the fruit, you/he/she had eaten her and you/he/she was cleaned the white moustaches that you/he/she had on the face. Then you/he/she had returned from Lulù, that laughed had a good time. That animal was really funny! You/he/she had crouched hoping that it drew near.

«You come from me, I am Lulù. And you?»

The small orsetto had made a strange verse and cautiously you/he/she had gone toward the boy.

«You are nice, if lathes, bring tomorrow you another banana.»

«Grrrrrwwww grrrrrwwww.» the orsetto had screamed.

«That is Pin.» you/he/she had said Lulù pointing out the dog that was crouched on the grass, frightened by that strange animal.

«Pin you come here, not to be afraid.»

The dog had drawn near careful trying to sniff the new come, that you/he/she was shelled away as an eel.

«Pin do the good one! He/she leaves alone our new friend. Have you seen how it is nice? It goes to wash the fruit. You come orsetto, considering that you like to wash the things, I will call you Saponetta!»

And so Lulù had made a new friends and, for a motive that anchors we cannot disclose, the small orsetto washer went him/it to still find the night same and other nights.

# The disclosed mystery

We return therefore to the village and the investigations.

The Professor Topi, her Mrs. Lepitpat and the inspector Magrette, after having been in the room of Lulù, you/they had gone from Calm Sleep, forgetting completely the episode of the morning.

The Great Head and his/her child, swarm him/it I Never Sleep, that is known, we have already told him/it, they never slept, correct that morning you/they were dozed off, because too many tired after all those nights given to watch over. However also they to the awakening had been amazed from the silence that it reigned in the village. Together everybody went to knock door for door, to verify that everything was all right.

«It is all right, rather very well, arcibenissimo!» it said the Professor Topi after you/he/she had ascertained that the acchiappasognis were all to their place and his/her children they quietly slept in their beds.

Everything seemed returned normal, the curse had been defeated!

Each believed that the worth was really: the great Head attributed him/it to the ceremony of the Sacred Pipe that had gotten further the malignant spirits, they swarm him/it to its prayers, the Professor to the clever his/her antifurto with the bells and the inspector to its accurate investigations. Perhaps it was worth of all these things put together, it suggested her/it Mrs. Lepitpat, even if it was burdens doubtful. In fact, it rather seemed her unlikely that there was not a well precise cause for that that was happened, rather that you/he/she was not happened, but he was careful not to manifest his/her opinion. He/she didn't want to make to worry anybody and then his/her children you/they had returned happy.

They passed the days and everything it seemed to return to the normalcy. His/her children restarted to happily play and the atmosphere of the village maintained him serene. The Professor Topi had decided to stop he anchors a few days. Lulù was there really well: it was always company and it had a healthy and happy aspect.

When the nostalgia of house began to make himself/herself/themselves feel, the Professor it decided that the moment had arrived to depart. It communicated the news to the Great Head that, to thank them for the help, wanted to organize a great farewell party in them honor.

It already lowered the evening and they were fervent the preparations for the party. A gigantic pile of firewood had been set to the center of the clearing to shoot a great.

There would have been dances and songs and all you/they would have participated you.

The small tribe he went assembling with calm around the fire that had been turned on hardly.

The flame slowly seized the pile of firewood up to become an all one with it. Everything was ready and the flames, in a flash, they became so tall that seemed they touched the sky. It missed only the Great Head and the celebrations they would be initiated.

Lulù was not in the skin, he/she wanted to dance and to sing with his/her friends and it found it hard to be sat, so much it quivered for attends him.

The Great Head finally arrived, followed by his/her child, they swarm him/it I Never Sleep, and told away the the celebrations.

The drums started to play and the dancers, all in traditional custom, prepared him around the fire to dance.

Suddenly a cry of pain hovered him in the air. All kept silent. I tap extended the ears and him it went to shelter among the legs of Lulù.

A long complaint as a desperate weeping, crossed the valley.

«For all the singed pipes! What happens now?» he/she asked the Professor, above all to itself same, because nobody had idea of thing it was that strange noise.

«Perhaps it is a wounded animal that complains him for the pain.» it risked the inspector

«Inspector, but does the cry of an animal seem her?» he/she asked her/it Mrs. Lepitpat, less and less marveled of the scarce intuition of the police officer. «To me, rather, it seems the weeping of a desperate man.»

«Suvvia Signora, but does it seem her possible that this is a human weeping? Only a giant would succeed in shouting so strongly!»

The Mrs. didn't answer; was the best attitude to assumes when saw us such an ignorant hand!

«Silence! We listen well and we will perhaps understand.» it ordered the Great Head.

All kept silent and they straightened the ears to understand what never pits that agonizing complaint.

«According to me it is right Providence.» it said the Professor. «Perhaps it will be a giant, but it is a man that cries inconsolable however. Who lives near quì?»

«Anybody, only us of the tribe.» Calm Sleep responded. «We have chosen ago this place, years and years, really because the valley is isolated from the rest of the world. I don't understand who can be, we are here all and however none of us has cried never so strong.»

«You are sure of it?» insistette the Professor.

«Sure! I am the Head and I will know, therefore, my tribe.»

«You excuse, but I wanted to be certain of it.»

«And now that he does?» he/she asked the inspector.

«Really you/he/she should be her to tell us him, considering that it is a police officer.» it objected her/it Mrs. Lepitpat.

«Yes, yes. I asked so.» it said the inspector. «We patrol the zone.» It was the first thing that had come him to mind.

«But it is dark I crush.» it made to notice Providence

«Mrs., we take burdens lamps and we look at burdens in the outskirtses.»

«The party is suspended! The women and his/her children go to close him in the house, we go to make a turn.» decided the Great Head

All the men of the tribe, the Professor, the inspector and even Lulù, that was some disappointed by the fact that he/she was not danced anymore, they took some torches, they turned on her with the fire of the bonfire and they scattered him around the village.

They turned and they turned in long and in wide, but they didn't see anybody. Yet the complaint didn't stop.

Later around a hour they found again him all around the fire.

«The matter assumes an anxious aspect, but for tonight I believe there is not more nothing to be done. It will need to wait for the first lights of the dawn and, if the moan won't be stopped, to try to discover from where it originates.» it said the great Head.

They were worthwhile everybody that for the time being it was better to suspend the investigations and they went to sleep.

Anybody that night could close only also an eye. The complaint became more and more agonizing, they seemed even some hiccups convulsi.Si it raised the sun and it still found all the inhabitants of the place you wake up. The inspector started indeed not to be able more than that place of it. Badly that called the Tribe of the Calm Sleeps! Beautiful name really, sinned, however, that there he didn't sleep never!

The complaint had become as soon as audible, as if tiredness had overpowered him. Then, to the sudden one it stopped.

«You have seen? It is everything ended. I had told him/it that it was a wounded animal. Now you/he/she will have fallen asleep.»

«But street Inspector!» her Mrs. Lepitpat puffed.

«However better this way. It is the moment to start to prepare the baggages.» it said the Professor, that felt more him lifted.

«No, Professor, cannot go away.»

«Because never, my dear?»

«Because Calm Sleep we would remain badly. The party is not been able to hold for independent motives from our wish, but this doesn't mean that I/you/he/she am not possible to reorganize her/it. Besides I don't feel me to drive with this tiredness I set!»

«It is true, you excuse me, I had not thought. We can rest some now and to depart in the first afternoon. The great Head will understand our demands, I am certain of it.»

«As he/she wants her, Professor.»

«We go to talk to Calm Sleep. Do you come Inspector?»

The inspector nodded and followed the Professor and her/it Mrs.. But really while you/they were talking to the Great Head, the complaint began again, at first weak, then more and more strong.

«For all the singed pipes, there risiamo.» the Professor exclaimed with disappointment.

Mrs. Lepitpat went to the window and opened him. «You listen well, it seems that this weeping is amplified, as if there pits an echo.»

«We go out out, we will understand better perhaps.» it suggested Poltron.

The Great Head looked toward the mountains trying to understand from where that moan originated. Then, to the sudden one, everything was clear.

«The Mrs. it is right.» it said Calm Sleep. «The weeping originates from the mountains, and, more exactly, from the cavern of the nightmares. That's why it feels so well him up to valley.»

«It is certain of it?» he/she asked the Professor that suffered it regretted having asked that question. He/she already knew that the Great Head was sure of what said. «I said this way for saying.» he immediately corrected. «This cavern of the nightmares is distant from here?»

«Yes, around a hour of march to slow footstep. It is a long time ago a cave that so much we had closed with some big rocks, really because the noises that came from there they frightened the village. Also the verse of a small animal coming from the cavern, seemed downstream here the roar of a lion!»

"Perdincibacchino, this Great Head knows indeed a lot of things" he/she thought, admired, the Professor.

«Then the only thing to be done is to organize a consignment to go to see whoever it is that cries there inside.» it suggested the inspector.

The Mrs. strabuzzò the eyes for the wonder. The inspector had finally said a sensible thing!

«We assemble the men and let's put us in walk.»

Later around a hour all the men of the village, inclusive naturally the Great Head, his/her child they swarm him/it I Never Sleep, the Professor Topi, the inspector Magrette, Lulù, Pin and her Mrs. Lepitpats, put on in march toward the Bifurcate Mountains. They walked to slow footstep and, obviously, in single file also because the slope was irta and the dangerous path.

Finally, sweaty and panting, they arrived on the clearing in front of the cavern of the nightmares. They prepared to circle and the inspector, the Great Head, swarms him/it and the Professor they went toward the entry of the cave.

«Hey you, there inside, you go out with the hands above the head.» it said the inspector with his/her police officer voice

Absolute silence, the moan stopped instantly, but from the cavern nobody came out. No, someone came out, but it was not of certain who waited to see.

To the sudden something it squirted out of the cavern and nobody had the time to understand what pits. Alone Lulù, that knew well it, knew immediately who was.

«Saponetta!» it shouted all happy. «You come here, I am me Lulù.»

The orsetto stopped him and looked at the boy. «Grrrrrwwww, grrrrrwwww.» it screamed frightened.

«From the, Saponetta, comes here, not to be afraid.» insistette Lulù.

The animal looked around him at some and, afraid, you/he/she drew near him.

«What kind of animal it is?» he/she asked the inspector some schifato.

«It is a raccoon, more exactly a Procyon lotor, vulgarly said orsetto washer for his/her habit to wash the things with the anterior legs.»

«Professor, doesn't owe at all us to make a lesson of science!» it said the become impatient inspector. What pedant was that man!

Mrs. Lepitpat lightened him/it with the look. Was not able more than this ignorant police officer! It drew near to Lulù and he/she caressed the small animal.

«How come you know this orsetto?» he/she softly asked him.

«It is my friend, it comes to the lake to make himself/herself/themselves the bath and the night it comes me to find. I give him my snack. I call him/it Saponetta because it washes all.»

«And from how long you know him/it?»

«Uhm. from not too long, days.»

«From how much of precise?» insistette her Mrs. Lepitpat that went clearing himself/herself/itself the ideas.

Lulù made spallucce, he/she didn't remember when you/they were known, but it was his/her friend and this was enough.

«Now I remember me!» it said the Professor, as thunderstruck. «That morning, when I/you/they have entered your room, it was the orsetto the fleeing shade that I have seen.»

«Professor Topi, wants to tell me that she knew about this matter and you/he/she has not talked to anybody of it?»

«My dear Providence, is escaped me! With what has happened, this didn't seem me a particular main point.»

«And does he/she remember with precision when you/he/she has seen for the first time this animal?»

«Mrs., but that importance Khan have? It is only a raccoon!» the inspector complained him.

«Please, Professor Topi, tries to remember, you/he/she is very important indeed.» it said her/it Mrs. ignoring the police officer

The Professor tried to remember and, he is known, to focus better himself/herself/themselves began to go on and back. «Uhm. it seems me. yes, now The ams certain of it. The first morning when the acchiappasognis have not been stolen has happened. We wake up some later there, I was hardly dozed off me,» it added for justifying him. «In the room of Lulù are raced for checking that everything was to place. I have just opened the door I have seen something shell away, but I have not understood of thing him it treated. Now that I think it, I have not even checked if Lulù still had his/her acchiappasogni.»

«Now it is everything clear, even if to the moment I don't understand the motive for all of this.» it told her/it Mrs. Lepitpat.

«It is able, please, to be so kind to also explain to us?» he/she asked the inspector, irritated.

But there was no time for the explanations because, to the sudden one, a voice was heard to originate from the cavern.

«You go away, you leave alone my friend orsetto and gotten further you.» someone said with tone piagnucolante, from the inside of the cave.

«You go out with the hands on the head!» the inspector summoned again him, always with his/her police officer voice. «Not costringrmi to use the strong ways!»

It passed some second without nobody spoke, then a dark outline appeared in front of the cavern.

«Now you come before plain, not to worry you, won't be made you some evil.» Magrette reassured him/it.

The outline came before slowly and, as soon as out, he materialized, invested by a bundle of light. It was a thin young fellow, long black hair covered him the face and you/he/she was dressed in ragged way.

«You?» he/she asked the Great Head. «What you do here us?»

«I/you/they have returned.»

«Great Head knows this individual?» churches stunned the inspector Magrette.

«Certain, this is one brother of ours Uneasy Sleep. Because you have not come from us?»

«You, Great Head, has called me brother, but I am not worthy of to have called this way. I/you/they have gone many years ago, because I didn't want to do more part of the tribe, wanted to see the world discover new horizons. In the long run nostalgia has gripped me the heart: my earth and my people it missed me. I am so returned, but I have not dared introduce me in front of you.»

«I imagine that your trip has not brought you the happiness that you looked for.» it said Calm Sleep. «But you are here now and you can return with us.»

«No, Great Head, is not worthy of it. I ask you for forgiveness for all.»

«How much you tell ago me you honor. Don't be afraid, our tribe will be happy to your return.»

«But do you not understand? I am me that I have brought restlessness and fear in our village.»

«Because you say this way? What you could ever have done?»

«I am me that I have stolen the acchiappasognis of his/her/their children!» it said Uneasy Sleep finally freeing himself/herself/itself of that heavy burden that had on the conscience.

To those words all remained chilled! Here finally the explanation of the mysterious thefts.

«Cannot believe that you have made such a wicked thing! What can you/he/she ever have you inclined to so much?» he/she asked the Great Head with sorry voice.

Nobody dared to speak and everybody waited that the angers of Calm Sleep got depressed on him.

«The desperation, the loneliness and the fear.» it said Uneasy Sleep with voice broken by the emotion. «These are the motives that have pushed me to hurt you. When I/you/they have returned I/you/they have remained hidden to observe you for days and days. The life of the village developed him serene, the people it seemed happy. I felt me excluded far by what I saw from. I/you/they are sheltered here then me, but when dark went down he/she took me the fear and I didn't succeed in sleeping. Bad thoughts shook my mind and I have felt tired and lost. Forgive me, Great Head.»

The youth collapsed in knee and bursted to cry. Lulù must be suffered verse of him, followed by Pin.

«Because you cry? Are you badly? On, you don't have to cry.»

The small Pin started to lick the cheeks of Uneasy Sleep to dry him the tears and a smile it appeared on the face of the man. All those little darlings did him/it feel well. The hand that Lulù handed him and got up taken.

«You are right, I don't have to cry. I can mend to the evil that I have done. Inside the cavern there are all the achiappasognis of his/her/their children. I wanted that their dreams, beautiful and ugly, they made me company and that the acchiappasognis sent away my bad thoughts.»

«It is for this that you have stolen them?»

«Yes, Great Head. You/he/she has been the raccoon, the only friend that I have, to steal them, sent by me. During the night it went down to the village and, walking on the roofs, it entered the houses, he/she picked them up and then it returned here for bringing me them. But from some nights he doesn't do more to see: I don't know where goes, and I have remained only and I have been afraid again.»

«He comes to sleep with me.» it candidly said Lulù.

All turned him to look at him/it, surprised.

«Lulù,» it told her/it Mrs. Lepitpat, that had already realized as the facts you/they were developed. «You had said that it came to find you, not that he/she slept with you.»

«Yes, it comes me to find and then he/she sleeps. When I wake up myself he there is not more.»

«And because you have not told him/it Mice?»

«Because you have not asked me him. Rather, his/her uncle Mice first wanted to know who my friend was, then you/he/she has not asked me him more. I have thought that he didn't care.»

Correct, rather correct, he/she thought the Professor Topi; as usual his/her nephew was right.

«Good Lulù, for your worth we have resolved the mystery!» it said proud.

The inspector smiled Magrette, even if it was some cross. You/he/she would have had to resolve him/it him the case, but the boy had been smarter. Then, honor to the worth. It went toward Lulù and the hand handed him.

«Good young fellow!» it said shaking his hand.

«Uffa! Mr. police officer The have told you that The ams to boy.»

«I already forgot!» the inspector answered smiling.

«To this point we can return to the village.» it thundered the voice of the Great Head. «First however we take the acchiappasognis to bring them to his/her/their children. You, Uneasy Sleep, will come with us. We will gather the Board of the Wise man to decide whether to behave us with you.»

After having taken all the acchiappasognis, they set out in single file always, toward the village. Pin and Saponetta walked next to Lulù and they skipped about here sometimes some and some there.

Mrs. Lepitpat was not in the skin I know much it was happy. What an emotion! Lulù, his/her boy, was the hero of that whole matter. Cannot wait to tell him/it to his/her/their cousin I Tasted!

«Psss. Professor,» it said in to low voice, the sleeve of the jacket of Mice, that preceded her/it throwing.

«Mrs. what there is? Does you feel tired?» rchiese without turning himself/herself/themselves, having to be careful to where it put the feet not to risk to fall.

«No, no. I make very well her. I wanted to tell her that I am so proud of our boy! Who could imagine that this whole history resolved her/it Lulù! And her as he feels?»

The Professor sorvolò on the fact that her Mrs. you/he/she had said the" our boy", considering that Lulù was his/her nephew and tried to conceal the emotions that it tried, even if from his/her voice pride and satisfaction slipped out.

«I feel well me, normal. On the other hand, he/she is known, us Poltron we are astute people from the thin mind. Therefore it was clear since the beginning that one of us two would have found the solution to the mystery.»

Mrs. Lepitpat could not see the torch of the Professor, but it was certain that to smile of gratification rippled him, at that time, the lips.

They reached the village you get tired and hungry. All the inhabitants went toward them to know what novelties there were.

The great Head put on to the center of the small crowd and began to speak.

«Brothers, are today one day of joy! We have brought back the acchiappasognis of his/her/their children. From now on their nights will be calm, nobody will upset more their dreams. A brother, that we believed lost, has made besides, return to our village. Let's welcome him/it, therefore, with heat and affection.»

Uneasy sleep advanced among the small crowd, the heart beat him strong for the emotion.

There was no need of words; all put on around and they embraced him/it to give him the welcome one.

However he/she remained suspended the matter of the Board of the Wise man, that gathered him in the late afternoon. They didn't participate in the reunion neither the Professor, neither the inspector, neither her Mrs. Lepitpat. It was correct that small community resolved his/her own problems without interferences from extraneous.

You waited, however, with great anxiety, the supreme decision.

Finally, after a few hours of attended, they went out the great Head and his/her child, they Swarm him/it. A small crowd he assembled around him.

«Brothers, the Board of the Wise man has decided to forgive Uneasy Sleep.» it said Calm Sleep. «It is true, you/he/she has been wrong and you/he/she has completed reprehensible actions, but it is deeply reformed. It will make again starting today part of our community. Tonight, in honor of the Professor Poltron and his/her family, that will depart tomorrow, of the inspector Magrette, and to give the welcome one to our discovery brother, a great party it will be held. You turn on the greatest bonfire that is ever seen. Songs and dances will cheer our evening.»

This way, finally, all of him concluded well.

The people of the village sang and happily danced, around the greatest bonfire that you/he/she was ever seen. When all were exhausted to dance, the first one naturally Lulù, the Great Head spoke again.

«What all the acchiapasognis of his/her/their children are taken and are brought here, in front of the fire.» it ordered in solemn tone.

The men went to take the sacks that the acchiappasognis contained and they brought them in front of the Great Head.

«The honor to return them to his/her/their children is up to Lulù, that has given an important contribution for the solution of the mystery. You come Lulù to open the sacks.»

«Me? Because me?»

«On, you go from the Great Head.» the Professor exhorted him/it.

Lulù got up a little convinced (the legs and the feet hurt him to dance) and it went next to Calm Sleep.

Now you open the haversacks and you return the acchiappasognis to his/her/their children. You, children, come near.»

His/her children prepared him in circle and Lulù it untied the rope that tied the sacks, then, to one to one, it emptied them for earth.

Suddenly, from the net it posts to the center of the acchiappasognis, they started to emit him small sparks that climbed in sky illuminating him/it like many stars.

All the dreams of his/her/their children were freed in the Celestial Time leaving the free imagination to turn around the world. As small comets, the dreams darted aloft darkening even the stars.

It was such a beautiful show to cut the breath and all they were spellbound of it. Mrs. Lepitpat felt I know many small shivers cross her the back and tears of joy to go down along the cheeks. It was the most beautiful thing that you/he/she had ever seen and Lulù, their Lulù, made part of it. It tightened Professor Poltron's arm, but it didn't say anything; there was no need of words.

The moment of the leave had come. The baggages had already been loaded the trunk of the topomobile and the Professor Topi, her Mrs. Lepitpat, Lulù and Pin were ready to depart. The inspector, instead, another day would be held back; it had to word the relationship to deliver to the U.S.T.I., on the case that had been called" the curse of the Calm Sleeps."

The whole community was assembled for greeting them and the Great Head, with nearby his/her child, they Swarm him/it, it put on to the center of the small crowd to pronounce a brief discourse of goodbye.

«To my name and of my people I want you thanked for the help that you have given us. Even if you are not as we, am involved you as if you were him/it. Now in our heart the sadness goes down for not being able you more to speak: we hope that the joy of riincontrarvi makes us forget this melancholy moment. To you, Lulù, gives this acchiappasogni, because your nights are full of very beautiful dreams.»

Mrs. Lepitpat loosened him in tears, knows much was touched. They embraced all, then her" family Poltron" it climbed in car. Pin immediately put the head out of the car window and barked to Saponetta, as to want him/it healthy.

Mrs. Lepitpat started the topomobile.

«Ready?» churches, after having dried the eyes and noisily blown the nose.

«Ready, ready! Providence can go.» it said the Professor Poltron, the safety belt lacing himself/herself/itself.

«Uncle, where do we go?» he/she asked Lulù.

«To house, he returns home!»

The topomobile departed to rocket festively greeted by all the inhabitants of the village, up to when it became a small dot that quickly disappeared.

He/she anchors today, if by chance gone by the parts of the Bifurcate Mountains, you will feel the legend of the mysterious disappearance of the acchiappasognis and Lulù and his/her family tell.

### The author

**The 17 April of 59 been born in Palermo, I have lived there always. Impassioned of human and literary histories, to write has always been one passion of mine, but for many years you/he/she has been a" d** **eprived correspondence" between itself and itself. In 2000 the human histories that I have seen and that I have read, you/they have started to return floating and so I have started to write" seriously."**

**In May of 2008 I have published: a pink-historical novel, in July the first novel Alley St. Michael Arcangelo for the Thread and in the 2011 Balharàs with the 0111 Edizioni.**

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