My name is John Bemelmans Marciano. I’d like to read from new book, Madeline and the Cats of Rome.
“From an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, left 12 little girls in two straight lines. Their bags were packed, the cameras stowed, they were ready to escape the cold.”
The train that leaves at half past nine, hurry, hurry Madeline. Across the Alps the pace was slow, the mountains still were packed with snow. But the far and farther south the traveled, the more that winter came unraveled. Although it’s dreary back at home, the time has come for spring in Rome.
Down the steps they took a stroll, hearing bells of churches toll. Here is a fountain they found quite appealing and everyone loved the Sistine Ceiling. But in Italy the greatest treat comes when it is time to eat.
Miss Clavell said, ‘Over here señora. 12 plates of pasta, por favora.’
The hours of the day were running out, the sun was setting or just about.
‘One last photo that’s person tight,’ said Miss Clavell, ‘Yes, that’s right.’
But the moment she had her camera drawn, it was yanked from her hands by the strap and was gone. Madeline took up the chase, first the theft and now a race.
Into the fountain with a splash, through the market in a dash, across the river that kept a tail, but coming back they lost the trail. Madeline said there is no justice. That little thief completely lost us.
Just then a cat seeking some affection, arched its back in Madeline’s direction. Madeline said, ‘My, what a nice kitten!’ Her dog was of a different opinion.
‘Genevieve!’ Madeline yelled. Too late. She followed that cat through a locked up grate, into a house about to fall down, down in the poorest part of town.
Madeline pushed the door, it creaked. ‘Is anyone there?’ she asked as she peaked.
From somewhere deep in the shadowy dark, she heard Genevieve’s whimpering bark. Then Madeline saw to her great surprise, those shining, staring, glaring eyes. There were cats, cats, look at them all. There were cats on the sofa, cats in the hall, cats coming out of a hole in the wall.
A voice from behind here clear and strong said, ‘You have come where you don’t belong.’ Madeline turned to a disbelief to see that it was the camera thief. ‘Yes, tis I, the thief, Catarina, protector of the Colania Polina. We are the orphans of the street these cats and I, so that we may eat is the reason why, I steal from you tourist passers by.’
Madeline said, ‘While I applaud your charity, let me say this with this clarity. Stealing is wrong no matter the cause. You may not like it, but those are the laws.’
Catarina said, ‘It is easy for you to judge and to scold, for what do you know of hunger and cold? Here is your camera. Now don’t be slow! Just take your well-groomed mutt and go!’
The two of them left in a hurry but now they had a different worry. What was the name of the hotel, how would they find dear Miss Clavell?
‘Little girl, would it be a bother to photograph me with my father?’ But the picture Madeline took, was a portrait of a crook. ‘Hey, Madeline, thanks for the assistance,’ Catarina said running into the distance.
The victims were stunned and both of them hollered, but lo and behold the thief got collared.
‘Gotcha!’ said the cop as he seized her, and don’t forget her accomplice either.
Meanwhile, Miss Clavell was at the court, filing a missing person’s report.
‘That’s the second case I’ve heard today, of children who have gone astray. Their daughter, too, has disappeared, I’m sad to say the worst is feared.’
In came two criminals walking slow, their noses sniffling, their heads hung low. What a shameful sign of the times, still so young and turned to crime.
‘Madeline!’ the girls rejoiced with hugs and tears and eyes all moist.
‘Catarina!’ the parents cried. ‘When you missed your dinner, we thought you died.’
‘Dinner, a home, a family,’ said Madeline. ‘You lied to me!’
‘I just wanted to help the cats somehow,’ Catarina said. ‘What will happen to them now?’
‘What’s this about some cats I hear?’ said papa. ‘How many do you have my dear?’
Catarina only made it to 11 when her momma cried, ‘Good heavens! All these cats, what shall we do?’
Not a person had a clue until Madeline had the inspiration for how to solve the situation.
First a complete evacuation. Then a rescue operation. An orange tabby was bound for Brazil, a calico for Nodding Hill. Two more were sent off to be Russian, off to Stockholm went their cousins. Pepe a spotted kitty, would make his way to New York City. Another, missing half his tail, was flying home to Israel. And one last cat would be going home to a beautiful house right here in Rome.
‘My parents are letting me keep this one, thanks Madeline for all you have done.’
Her cat let out a happy meow and now dear reader, we bid you ciao.