Winner of Fifth class short story Competition: Fabrizio Sforza
PEPPINO ONE THUMB
It was towards the end of the Second World War. My Granddad, Peppino, was a ten year old boy living in the south of Italy in a small town with his Mum, Granddad and brother Antonio. Peppino’s father had gone to fight for his country so Peppino went to work in the field’s with his Granddad and his brother every day.
THE GREAT NEWS
It was five in the morning and still dark outside. There wasn’t a single noise. Peppino was lying in bed thinking about his father. I hope he is all right. Is he still alive? Where is he? He wonders. Go to sleep, says Antonio. O-K, SAYS Peppino. he closed his eyes and tried to go sleep…… bang! bang! bang! Peppino got a huge shock and fell out of his bed. “what’s going on!” shouts Antonio. “I think someone is knocking at the door”, says Peppino. Who would be knocking at the door at five in the morning? I don’t know but what else could it be? Bang! bang! bang! “Somebody answer the door!” said a voice outside. “Mum! SOMEONE IS AT THE DOOR!” SHOUTS PEPPINO. PEPPINOS MUM GOT OUT OF BED AND RAN TO THE DOOR. IT WAS LUCA, THEIR NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOUR. “DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS? THE WAR IS OVER! MUSSOLINI IS DEAD! THE AMERICANS HAVE ARRIVED!” SHOUTS LUCA. PEPPINOS MUM WRAPPED HER ARMS AROUND LUCA AND THEY STARTED DANCING IN CIRCLES. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A HUGE Rumbling noise. The ground shook. Everyone stopped to listen. Peppino and Antonio ran over to the window. Zoom! zoom! zoom! zoom! Hundreds of American planes roared over their house and a long line of Sherman tanks rumbled down the road. Peppino and Antonio were so amazed that there mouths opened in the shape of an o. wow!
The Americans
At about eleven, Peppino, Antonio and their grandfather went into town to buy bread for lunch. In the town square there were 5 trucks on the road and about 25 soldiers standing talking, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. One soldier called over Peppino and Antonio and gave them each a piece of chocolate. Another soldier gave Peppino a foot- ball to play with his friends. He even learned some English from one of them and even though Peppino is 77 years old, he still remembers the little bit of English he learned when he was 10.
The shell
After buying the bread they had lunch and went to work in the fields with 3 other men. when they were walking home for dinner Peppino ran ahead. Suddenly he stopped. there was something shining on top of a wall. As he got closer he realized that it was made of metal. It was a machine gun shell. He ran over, picked it up and shoved it in his pocket. Then he had to go in for dinner and he couldn’t bring it in so he hid it in the garage. After dinner his mum wouldn’t let him outside again so he had to go to bed. Peppino was lying in bed. Tossing and turning. Wandering what was inside the shell. Be quiet! I’m trying to sleep! Said Antonio. Peppino got out of bed and went downstairs. He tried to sneak past his mum but she caught him. Where are you going? She said. I’m going to the bathroom. He said. Peppino ran into the garage, grabbed the shell and a hammer. He started hammering the shell. 1, 2, 3, bang! The shell exploded and blew Peppinos thumb off.Peppinos mum came running out screaming. She had to bring him to the doctor. Peppino had a huge bandage around his for a few weeks ant that is how he became Peppino One Thumb.
