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Scene 1 · Intermediate
La matrigna malvagia
The wicked stepmother
Italian
In un paese lontano, dove le rondini vanno a trascorrere l'inverno, viveva un re con undici figli maschi e una figlia, Elisa. I principi andavano a scuola con una stella sul petto e una spada al fianco. Scrivevano su tavolette d'oro con matite di diamante e imparavano così in fretta che nessuno poteva dubitare delle loro origini regali.
English translation
In a distant country where swallows go to spend the winter, there lived a king with eleven sons and a daughter, Elisa. The princes went to school with a star on their chests and a sword at their sides. They wrote on golden tablets with diamond pencils and learned so quickly that no one could doubt their royal origins.
Italian
Elisa, invece, sedeva su uno sgabello di cristallo e sfogliava un libro illustrato che era costato quanto mezzo regno.
English translation
Elisa, on the other hand, sat on a crystal stool and leafed through an illustrated book that had cost half a kingdom.
Italian
Erano bambini felici, ma la loro felicità non sarebbe durata. Il padre sposò una regina malvagia, che non provava alcun affetto per loro. I bambini se ne accorsero già il giorno dopo le nozze. Mentre a palazzo continuavano i festeggiamenti, giocavano a ricevere degli ospiti.
English translation
They were happy children, but their happiness would not last. Their father married an evil queen, who felt no affection for them. The children realized this the very next day after the wedding. While the celebrations continued at the palace, they played at welcoming guests.
Italian
Di solito ricevevano i dolci e le mele rimasti; la nuova regina, invece, mise un po' di sabbia in una tazza e disse loro di fingere che fosse una torta.
English translation
Usually, they received the leftover cakes and apples; but the new queen put some sand in a cup and told them to pretend it was a cake.
Continue with I cigni selvatici
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