Part 9 (2/2)
”Near Florence, in Pisa, is the curious Leaning Tower. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It seems to be toppling over. Yet it has stood this way for hundreds of years. Maybe it is tired.”
Anna's father stopped reading.
”Is my little girl tired, too?” he asked. ”Shall I put down the book?”
”No, no, Papa!” said Anna.
Tony, under the window wanted to answer, ”No, no!” too. But, then, his opinion had not been asked.
”The next story is about Venice,” continued the father.
”Once upon a time there lived in Italy a people known as the Veneti.
They were not fish, yet they built a city in the water.
”Savage tribes had driven them from their land. They had no home. So they settled upon some small islands at the head of the Adriatic Sea.
They called their island-city Venice.
”Fish were plentiful. They salted them and traded them for treasures of all kinds. People began to come from everywhere to buy these treasures. Venice became the most important market in Europe.
”St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice. To him the Veneti, or Venetians, have built a wonderful cathedral. In front stands the statue of a lion, the favorite animal of St. Mark.
”Four huge horses adorn the door. Though they are made of bronze, they have travelled widely. They have been moved to different places at many times.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS: VENICE]
”Inside, the cathedral is decorated with mosaics. They are made of bits of colored stone or gla.s.s fitted together.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE DOGE'S PALACE: VENICE]
[Ill.u.s.tration: IN A GONDOLA]
”St. Mark's Square is the largest piece of ground in Venice. The rest is water. Streets are ca.n.a.ls. Boatmen guide long, black boats called gondolas through these ca.n.a.ls. They sing and cry out strange signals to other boatmen.
”In years gone by Venice, like Rome, was a world of its own. A Doge, or Duke, ruled over the city.
[Ill.u.s.tration: FEEDING PIGEONS IN ST. MARK'S SQUARE]
”Between the Doge's Palace and the prison is a bridge. Over this bridge marched those condemned to prison by the Doge. As they marched they sighed and that is why the bridge is known as 'The Bridge of Sighs.'
”On one of the little islands live the gla.s.s blowers. Just as you blow soap bubbles, so they blow melted gla.s.s into vases and bowls. Venetian gla.s.s is famous.
”There are hundreds of pigeons flying about St. Mark's Square. While you are in Venice, you must surely allow a pigeon to sit upon your head. If you do not do this, your visit will not be complete and I am sure the pigeon will be disappointed!
”Naturally (and this is most important to the pigeon) you must put some corn on your head first. It is not your hair nor your hat which attracts him!
”Venice is a city of Dreams! And--animals!”
The father looked up from his book. Anna laughed.
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