This tale is familiar to everyone since childhood. Bright cartoon did not leave anyone indifferent to the heroes. And the characters of the fairy tale “Cipollino” are vegetables that are familiar to all kids. But the mischievous tale written by the Italian had a political connotation. After all, ordinary people personified simple vegetables that were present on the menu of the poor: pumpkin, onions, radishes, grapes, peas, pears. They are opposed by the aristocracy, that is, products that were only on the tables of the upper strata of the population. These are lemon, artichoke, tomato, cherries, cherries.
Vegetable Tale
The Adventures of Cipollino ”is a work of Gianni Rodari, an Italian writer-communist. It shows the struggle of the lower strata of society with the higher and the triumph of justice. No wonder he was so popularized during the Soviet Union. By the way, it was in our country that the fairy tale was first published after its release in his native Italy (the magazine Pionier published it in the Apennines in 1951). In 1953, “The Adventures of Chipollino” by Z. Potapov translated into Russian, and S. Ya. Marshak edited the work. This book instantly became a bestseller; they began to translate it into other languages. And in 1961, the same cartoon was created on the screens, created according to the script of Mstislav Pashchenko.
Who is the fairy tale written for?
Boy Onion, Uncle Pumpkin, Prince Lemon, Count from the fairy tale "Cipollino" - this is only a small part of the characters invented by Gianni Rodari. This tale, although it describes the struggle of the common population with aristocrats who torment people, teaches many worldly truths. For example, it praises the virtues of work, teaches you not to give up in difficult situations, to seek a way out, to be courageous and to be truly friends. And also with vegetables as an example, you can learn to unite, help each other in trouble, and sympathize.
Rodari's fairy tale Cipollino was written for children of six to seven years old. It is at this age that you can already read the full text of the work. But also on sale you can find a lite version for children over four years old. It contains bright beautiful illustrations. Admittedly, adults will also enjoy reading a work that can remind us of a cloudless and happy childhood.
The plot of the work
So, what happened to Onion, Pumpkin, Radish, Cherry, Lemon and other characters, and also what role did the count from the fairy tale "Cipollino" play? It is worth noting that the plot is very dynamic. The work begins with a description of the amazing Country of vegetables and fruits. Here, their laws reign, and there is a ruler - the cruel Prince Lemon. This tyrant has a special fragrant skin, which he carefully cares for. But here live simple "people." For example, Onions and his family, the look and smell of which causes tears. Another significant character is poor Uncle Pumpkin, who dreams of having his own home. And although he works from early morning until dusk, he cannot build a home for himself. But Signor Tomato, Countess Cherry, like other aristocrats, live in the palace, and they can also select the shacks of the poor, for example, for the needs of their dogs.
The boy Cipollino, mischievous and fair, could not remain indifferent, looking at the suffering of his uncle Pumpkin. He stands up for the unfortunate old man and provokes the beginning of the class struggle. Other poor people support them, some of them end up in prison. Lemon, meanwhile, introduces new taxes in the country literally on everything and orders the detective with the dog to find the rebel.
First of all, Cipollino rescues his father and other prisoners from prison, by means of music “circling the finger” of the close-sighted guards. And then he leaves his pursuers and hides the Pumpkin house in the forest. Thanks to his intelligence, ingenuity and the support of friends, the boy deals with tyrants and wins. Cipollino is a key character, but not only he and his friends defeated enemies. The erring Signors were killed by popular anger, as well as the legitimate fear that they experienced before the rebels. The bold commoners, not afraid of the gun aimed at them, resolutely put the insolents in their place. Justice has triumphed!
Characters "Cipollino"
As mentioned earlier, all the heroes of the tale are fruits and vegetables. Here is a short list of them:
- Cipollino - the main character and the ringleader;
- Cipollo - father of Cipollino;
- Cipollino Brothers;
- Uncle Pumpkin;
- shoemaker grape;
- Radish girl;
- Cherry - Count from the fairy tale "Cipollino", which sympathizes with the poor;
- lawyer Peas;
- Detective Carrot;
- Evil Signor Tomato;
- Countess Cherries;
- Prince Lemon;
- Baron Orange;
- Duke of Mandarin.
In addition to the main characters, the fairy tale involves the handmaid Strawberry, music teacher Grusha, gardener Luk Leek, Fasolinka, Bilberry, Artichoke, Parsley, Chestnut, Amanita and even some animals. But their roles are episodic.
Little orphan
There is one character in the fairy tale that I want to talk about a little more about. This is Count Cherry, the nephew of Countess Cherry. He was an orphan and lived with his wealthy relatives. It is worth noting that the gentlemen did not much like the little boy. Cherry was forced to do the lessons all the time - today and tomorrow, then solve puzzles ad infinitum, learn everything by heart. At the same time, the Signors were angry if he took books from the library of the castle, worried that he would not ruin them. The boy was often ill from mental stress. And only one person sympathized with him - the strawberry maidservant. She then fed the count secretly from the countesses.
The boy suffered from a lack of attention, love and affection. At the same time, he was annoyed by the constant reproaches of the Signor, as well as the stupid bans that fell on his head. For example, he was not allowed to talk to the fish, dip his hands in the pool, or knead grass in the garden. Cherry dreamed of going to a regular school, because the guys ran out of it after school after laughing. He was frankly bored, so he happily spoke to Cipollino and Radish, and then helped them.
A bit about the cartoon
As already mentioned, the Soyuzmultfilm studio released an animation that was immediately loved by both children and adults. Initially, the author of the script planned to accurately transfer the entire plot of Rodari's fairy tale to the screen. A monologue behind the scenes was also provided, which explained and commented on the viewer everything that was happening. However, the director (he was Boris Dezhkin) decided differently: he created a picture simpler, easier to understand, but no less interesting from that.
For example, they significantly reduced the scene where the count fell ill. From the fairy tale “Cipollino” they cut out a long and severe Cherry Disease (in the cartoon he recovers that very evening), two whole days from the life of prisoners of vegetables, gluttony of the rich. All this greatly distracted from the main storyline - the struggle of the common people with the oppressors. Nevertheless, the cartoon came to fame: an interesting plot was supplemented by colorful characters drawn by talented artists, wonderful music by Karen Khachaturian, witty phrases that immediately became winged.
Instead of an afterword
You can watch your favorite cartoon at least every day, because it never bothers. In addition to this peculiar classic of Soviet animation art, I want to re-read the work of Gianni Rodari, an old and good tale, to infinity. Who doesn’t dream that our children would also experience the delight that we felt in those distant years? Therefore, give the kids "Chipollino" in the form of a book or a cartoon, they will appreciate such a present! And then together draw a hero who has become almost family for many generations.