This short story is the result of the 5 words exercise.
Noun 1: Leaf
Noun 2: Garlic
Verb 1: To bathe
Verb 2: To greet
Adjective: Cold
Time frame: 10 minutes
The story has been written in Italian first, then translated in English.
It was cold that day, but Maria had been bathing on the doorstep all the same. Because the day was cold, yes, but the sun shone brightly and it was enough to warm her heart. Her grandmother Amalia was getting ready to cook. But there were only a few spices on the table, a garlic and a large basil leaf. The old woman then took some money from the jar well hidden among the pots and went to Maria. She wanted to ask her to go down to the village and buy some chicken and rosemary for lunch. She saw, however, that her granddaughter had fallen asleep under the sun and was serene. Amalia then stopped and looked at her carefully. Mary, Grandma noted, had the same arched nose and thick eyebrows as her father. Noting that always made some impression on her. Remembering in her granddaughter’s face the serene outline of her son that day when he greeted her to leave and never return.
Faceva freddo quel giorno, eppure Maria si era sdraiata a prendere il sole sulla soglia della casa. Perché la giornata era fredda, si, ma il sole splendeva forte e le bastava per scaldarsi il cuore. Sua nonna Amalia si stava preparando per cucinare. Ma sul tavolo c’erano solo poche spezie, un aglio e una grossa foglia di basilico. La vecchia allora prende dei soldi dal barattolo ben nascosto tra le pentole e va da Maria a chiederle di andare giù in paese a comprare il pollo e del rosmarino per il pranzo. Quando la raggiunse vide però che si era addormentata ed era serena. Amalia allora si ferma a guardarla attentamente. Maria, notava la nonna, aveva lo stesso naso arcuato e le stesse folte sopracciglia del padre. Notare questo le fece un po’ di impressione. Ricordava nel viso della nipote il volto sereno del figlio quel giorno in cui la salutò per partire e non fare più ritorno.
