Graduation speech

Fellow students and teachers, men and women,

I thank you for being present to this important moment for my scolastic career. Being a student in this wonderful school was a honour for me. I thank the teachers that have aided me in these three years, and I hope they continue to help my fellow Earthlings of the future generations.

Cari studenti e professori, signori e signore,

Vi ringrazio per la vostra presenza in questo importante momento per la mia carriera scolastica. Essere uno studente in questa scuola meravigliosa è stato un onore. Ringrazio gli insegnanti che mi hanno aiutato in questi tre anni, e spero che continuino ad aiutare i ragazzi terrestri nelle generazioni future.

Seeking courage

Where is courage? Courage is in the knight in the shining armour, which in the books kills the paper dragons and saves the princess; courage is in the hero, who flies through the cities destroying the ugly monsters and beasts.

Many people are unaware of the courage that lies in everyone's heart, which is waiting for the right moment, to come out and help. Courage is needed for the task of coming to school every day, to take the abnormally disgusting medicine, to admit you broke the precious vase of pre- roman times. Adults show their courage when they take a decision, will we move to San Marino? Should I invest all my money in this ring? Courage is part of us, and killing a dragon is not more courageous than helping a friend, it is only different. There are several types of courage: the one you read in books, the one you see in television, and the decisions parents have to take for their children.

The most famous courageous character is the knight in the shining armour. He is the character of many children stories. He shows his courage by charging out of the security of his castle, and entering the ruthless and dangerous world. He travels for miles and miles, until he reaches the enemy castle/ dragon cave. There he has to destroy a wizard/ black knight/ dragon. He does not have other human beings to aid him. He only has a lance, a horse and a sword. Another fact that shows his courage is that he risks his life to free people of dangers. He does not do it for personal reasons, but to help the world.

The second type of courageous character is the super-hero of the television. He is much like the knight, but he is armed with special powers. He has these powers, not because he was trained all his life like the knight, but because he was born with them. He "has" to use his powers to help others, because nobody else can do it. This type of courage is different from the previous one because he did not decide if he wanted to sacrifice his life to the benefit of others, he was forced to; and if he accepts the task he shows an even greater courage.

The third type of courage is the one shown by the mothers and fathers towards their children. The adults have to frequently take important and difficult decisions on our future; and deciding, knowing it could affect our future, is a difficult task. You need a great amount of courage to put in danger the ones you love. This is what parents do, they build your life, and to help them with this difficult task they do not have a long training, and they do not have super-powers; they have only an ability which they call instinct.

Knights, super-heroes and parents: all people with a great internal courage. They have different weapons to help them: training, super-powers, or instinct. These weapons are not enough to succeed in the difficult tasks, so they use their courage and fight anyways, knowing that if you try hard you will win.

The poom-poom

What do you think the poom-poom is? An Adrianian word, or the most deadly weapon created on our ancient planet. Wrong! It is neither. HAHAHAHA! The poom-poom, our way of calling the tank, was one of the twenty-five inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. if you are searching for it, do not search for a colossal monument, you can find it in two ways: find the original plans of Leonardo, or enter one of the many military tanks and admire the modern copies of the Italian genius. This tank looks like a small building on four wheels. It can turn in any direction and if you admire its full circumference, you will find cannons emerging from every side, which is really one, because it is a circle. There were no engines, in fact the wheels moved in the same way the bicycle works. People turned giant cranks which produced motion. Leonardo developed this new war machine between the years of 1485-1490 when he also created the majority of his inventions. We think Leonardo's tank is a work of art because it shows the technological and engineering abilities of the modern, found five hundred years ago. It is incredible that in so ancient times a single person was already creating machines that would not be used in his own times, but they would be used centuries after, in the FUTURE.

There are two famous aspects of the poom-poom. Nobody, in Leonardo's times, had thought that arms could move feet (wheels). How is it possible that turning a simple crank, you can move wheels, which are distant from the crank itself. This concept had only been used in the draw bridges, but in this case a rope was pulled, but where was the rope in the tank? In fact, there were no ropes! There was a system of cogs (like in clocks) that people put to motion by moving the cranks. The platform did not contain, like in normal siege weapons, a single cannon, there were many, and they were placed all around the tank. This concept was new, and it meant that the tank could shoot in every direction, and also move while shooting. These are the aspects of Leonardo's tank we liked best. This famous Art work has no famous aspects because; and do not tell Leonardo da Vinci, he might get angry; the tank is not very famous itself. You can discover it only by studying Leonardo da Vinci, and many people know nothing but his name. The majority of the world thinks it was Britain who invented tanks. Puah, only jealous!

This invention was first made as a sketch about six thousand years ago, which makes it extraordinary. The weapon shown in the sketch contained technology which had never been seen before. This person, known by the name of Leonardo Da Vinci, planned many other inventions. The tank is one of the most famous because his sketches were later used in the building of future tanks. It also has a funny shape, which surely makes it an art work. It looks like a heavy armed UFO! The tank was also never built, and the drawing is the only thing which exist, and everybody knows that drawings are works of art; wink, wink, wink. People on Earth may not call it a work of art because it is more an invention, but from our point of view it is an art work, and will be seen as such forever.

Other two creations that we consider a work of art are: Leonardo's helicopter, and Leonardo's parachute. Leonardo's helicopter is so strange and unique, that it can be considered a work of art. Leonardo's helicopter could never work, it would never even lift from ground. It is not an invention, it is an abstract painting. Also the parachute is very strange. The victim was attached to a cloth pyramid without the base. The pyramid had also a hole in the middle for aerodynamics. The poor creature who had dared having faith in Leonardo probably would fall like a rock, creating the perfect work of art.

Works of art are an opinion, and our opinion is strange. We think that Leonardo's tank is not only the best work of art in the whole universe, but we also think that Leonardo is the only genius who can build war machines which kill the people who use them and not the enemies. Leonardo's tank had a lot of aspects which may not have worked, but these aspects were copied by the scientists who planned the modern tanks. The tank is a drawing which we will always remember as UMO, an unknown moving object.

by: Adriano Zanini Astaldi and Vladimir Gorovicov

future, can you see it in the distance?

I think that my personal safety is important for my future. If I decease or I am ill in an important moment, I may fail to get a work. I was ill both the last day of sixth and seventh grade. I am lucky to have a twin that brought my awards home, but I couldn't receive them personally. This year I hope to arrive to the last day of the year unharmed. This year I could not, only not receive awards, but also loose the graduation. There are three reasons to regard your safety and your health. You may be sick during an important event regarding your work, you might get seriously injured and have to loose whole months of working, and you might become drunk, and loose your reputation.

It is important to be healthy. You can't go to a meeting with the flu. The meeting might be your only possibility to get a promotion, and you loose it because of microscopic creatures called virus. You may have a job interview, and you have the chance to get an important job that everybody wants. Then you get sick because you have played snow balls with your friends, you can't go to the interview and you loose the job without even trying. This is not fair, but who decided to play in the snow?

To protect my future I also have to regard my health against serious injuries. These injuries cause you to loose school, or work, which causes a void in education. If, instead, you are already working, your absence causes difficulties, and if you are already working, they may fire you or diminish your salary. Health is important for physical works. If you fall from the Eiffel Tower, and you survive, which is not very probable, you will be seriously hurt. Probably you will not be able to work again, you will loose your job, and your family will starve.

The third type of health problem is the self inflicted one. If you start drinking, and I don't mean water, smoking, or using other rubbish, your carrier will fail. Your reputation is important, it brings respect, advances, and money. If you have the reputation of getting drunk every day, then it is highly probable to get fired, or to not get a promotion. If you were the president of a company, would you promote a diligent, and intelligent man, or a drunk zombie with a cigarette in his mouth? Obviously you would choose the first man. You would also kick the other man out of the company, and hire a better worker.

Health is important for your future. You have to get sick less than possible, if not you could loose important events as the graduation or job interviews. You should also try to not get seriously ill, you might loose your job, the ability to work, or loose an important part of your education. You should also not get drunk, smoke, or ruin your life with other rubbish. This will ruin your reputation and as an effect, you may loose your job.

The Funeral

The knife cut through the soft flesh. Jack fell on the deck with a muffled cry. While the blood splurted out of his mouth he thought of the life which was going to end. He closed his eyes and all went black.

Mario looked down at the lifeless body of Jack. He said" This is the best Scuba Pirate of all the world." Then he spat on him. He raised the body above his head, and he threw it on the enemy deck. Then he called the retreat, and they set sail. Mario was very happy with what he had achieved. He had killed a dangerous enemy, and he had captured Gud. Then he remembered. Gud had escaped, Jack had helped him escape. During the battle with Jack he hadn't noticed his disappearance. He knew that he would never catch him again. The emperor Adriano doesn't like failures. Nobody survives to a failure, not even his brother.

Captains Vlad Gory and Gud looked at the body of Jack with a horrified face. Gud spoke first. " I I I was nnot expecting him to loose." Then he started crying. Vlad tried to comfort him, but then Karl arrived panting on the scene. He saw Jack, and his face turned red. Then he screamed, " Mario and Adriano! I do not know how, but I swear I will kill you, or die trying!" Gud stopped crying, he raised his head, and he said," I was not expecting my only son to die, I will help you have vengeance. I think that Mario will be executed for failing to capture me, but our anger will turn to his brother." Gud and Karl ordered Vlad to set sail, and they began their voyage to the capital of the enormous Zaninian Empire, the mastodontic metropolis of Trieste.

Mario's boat arrived in Trieste one week later. Mario had thought for all the voyage of his imminent death, and he had reached the conclusion that he was old enough to die, he had already reached the venerable age of sixty years. He walked slowly to the castle on top of one of Trieste's hills. The castle was close to one of Trieste's military camps, called Opicina. There the troops, lead by commander Frank de Gianelle, were constantly training for a possible attack.

Mario entered the castle with no fear, he walked to the great hall, where Emperor Adriano and his wife sat in the gigantic thrones. Adriano's wife had a strange name, she had been called Adriano's wife, maybe the father had guessed what she would become. Once Mario reached the doors that opened into the Throne Room, he hesitated, for a moment he stood in front of the doors, then he pushed them open, and walked until the Emperor. He bowed, and waited for further instructions. Adriano observed him with an angry look, and than he said," Dear brother, you have deluded me, Now I can not have faith in you. My spies have reported the story, I am happy of the killing of The new Scuba Pirate, but Gud has escaped." Mario trembled, and then answered," I ask forgiveness, your majesty. The Scuba Pirate was strong, and during the battle, I could not control the prisoner." Adriano meditated for a while and then said, "I have no pity for the defeated, you will be executed tonight!" Mario turned white and almost fainted, but Adriano laughed and said, " fool! Do you think I would kill my brother, you will be "officially" executed, so nobody will expect you are alive. I predict Gud and his student will be here tomorrow. They will attack in great number, while the pirates attack the guards, Gud and the captain will come here and try to ...

..kill the emperor. Remember Karl, he is subtle and intelligent, and he will certainly have a plan. He never keeps guards in the great hall, because he says that inferior minds disturb him. He can't fight, and I doubt his wife can fight either." Karl thought of what Gud had said, killing the Emperor was going to be easy with an intelligent mind like Gud's.

The next morning Karl's ship docked in Trieste. They were disguised as merchants, with the fifty pirates hidden in two caravans. They slowly marched towards the palace, " all is going well", Karl thought. He didn't know he was completely wrong. In front of the palace they found twenty-five guards waiting for them. The pirates quickly jumped out the caravans, and started fighting. The pirates were more, so they started pushing the guards away from the entrance. Gud grabbed Karl and said," the door is free, we need to leave your crew behind, but I am sure it will win the battle." Karl and Gud entered the castle and they started running towards the great hall.

A moment after the two captains had left, the guards took of their disguises. They were twenty-five Scuba Pirates. In a few seconds the Scuba pirates turned into killing machines, and little was left of Karl's crew.

A satisfied smile spread on Adriano's face when he heard the horn announce the victory over the pirates. In a few minutes the two pathetic captains would enter in the Hall. He waited patiently until he heard the footsteps. With the help of his wife, he raised from the throne, the missing leg was a great problem he had. Then with a scream Gud and Karl entered the room. Adriano tried to make a terrified face, but the he started laughing. Furious Karl charged, followed by Gud. Silently Mario walked out of his hiding place, he took out his two guns, and shot the two captains dead. The last thing Karl saw were the feet of the enemy who should have been dead. Adriano kicked Gud and said, " poor Gud, you were too dangerous to be kept alive, also if now you can't tell me the secrets." Gud didn't answer, and not because he did not want to.

Memory and myself

During the language arts class, which is passed in the computer lab, we took surveys on three sides of our personality. The first survey was on our moral. This showed us if we were mature, and our ideas on the relationship with what surround us is honest, and full of goodness, or evil and immature. The second survey showed us our ways of thinking. This will help when we grow up to become adults. It will help us in the drammatic and sifficult choice of the job. The third survey measured our memory. In this survey I found out that I have a horrible memory, but I have wonderful logic skills, and my luck is immense. I also found out that these two abilities can be used to remember. These surveys were interesting, amusing, and made you think about the soul that lays beneath the crust we call body. My thoughts were many, but they are not found in the introduction.

The first survey did not surprise me. It stated that my attitude towards moral issues is mature and adult. In grade 7 we had many debates, and within these discussions I found in myself the ability to analyze and defend both sides of an issue. This ability was unknown to me, but Mrs. Banar helped me develop it, until, towards the end of the year, she said I had achieved a great task, and that I was now ready to think of the world that surrounds me. These traits will help me in my future; they help you understand what people want, so you can give it to them, a useful skill in diplomacy. They may also help in the case of judging a situation without taking the wrong road, which judges have two frequently do. People have to understand what moral is, and then they have to respect it. For morality is justice.

The second survey surprised me. The survey's objective was to make you understand the way you think. In the site's opinion I was three types of thinkers. Firstly I was a linguistic thinker. This did not surprise me; I love to write, read, and analyze stories, and this was only a proof of my suspects. The survey stated that, if you are this type of thinker, you could become: a journalist, not bad, a librarian, they give too little money, a proof-reader and a translator, absolutely futile, I write, not correct works, or the poet, I like poetry, but I would never be a poet. I quickly excluded the possibility of choosing one of these carriers, I like to read and write stories, not articles, poems or translations.

The second thinker was the Interpersonal thinker. This type of thinker reflects my characteristics perfectly. I pass the majority of my time thinking. Also when I read, sometimes I notice that I had started thinking about something, and that my body was reading without the mind. I normally think of myself, of others. My mind travels in the books I read. I analyze people, create diplomatic accidents, in which I have to fight to convince people. This way of thinking can bring me to become: a politician, but he has too many responsibilities, a psychologist, and this is a work that interests me. I like to analyze the soul of people. Their way of thinking and reacting. Then I could have become: a nurse, which probably I will exclude, a counsellor, another interesting job, and the teacher. I would not like to become a teacher for the simple fact, that I would laugh all the time, creating a state of not seriousness in my class

The third type of thinker was the Intrapersonal thinker. I also pass a lot of time thinking of myself; of the good, and bad sides of me. This type of thinker proposed: the teacher and the psychologist, of which I already talked, the pilot, I can't understand why, child care workers, I would not like to run all day trying to catch babies, and the explorer. Adriano Livingstone. I do not like these carriers, and I came to the decision that the only two carriers that interest me are, the writer, and the psychologist.

The last test measured your memory. I do not have a good memory, I remember things using logic, and listening to what others say. The test went well only because of luck. I think that improving my memory is an impossible task. I can't remember to sign a test, when I had thought about it ten minutes before. I will have to accept my problem and balance it with my great intelligence.

I am sorry I wrote so much, but this topic interested me, and made me think of what I am and what I will be.

Analizing the story

q) Why is the story titled Scuba Pirates, and so are the characters, if they fight mostly above the surface?

a)The name is given not because they fight only underwater, but because they are the only people who can fight and act underwater.

q)Does Jack die?

a)I would never ruin you the surprise! If you want to know it read the next book, " The Funeral".

q)Why is the ship called the " Moaning Seal"?

a)Firstly, how should I call it if not this! Then, did you ever hear a seal moan; well, I never did, so it is a strange name for a strange plot.

q)Why does the story end in tragedy?

a)Because, everybody would expect Jack to win, and surprise, he does not.

if you have other questions, contact me personally.

The scuba pirate c.

Jack Curnington, and his friend Karl von Waffer were cutting the water with their small sailing boat," the moaning seal". Karl was skilfully piloting the small ship. Then with a sudden splash Jack jumped in the water. He could keep his breath for ten minutes, and this was enough for his mission. He silently dived under the Caravel, he took out his sword, and he cut a hole in the ships belly, this took an enormous strength, but it was nothing compared to the next step, he activated the bomb, and he stuck it in the hole. While he swam away he counted the seconds: three, two, one, boom! The wave created by the explosion was rapidly reaching Jack, "remember what they toughed me, arms on the sides, unite thy legs, and with an aye aye captain, survive the wave!" The wave finally reached him, but Jack's position was perfect, so instead of crashing on him, it passed through him, causing no damage. Jack climbed back on the moaning seal, resting while Karl brought him back to the base.

They sailed to the secret cove, were the Academy for future Scuba Pirates was situated. Waiting for them was an old man; he helped them dock their ship, while he looked at them with an enormous smile. The first to exit the ship was Jack; He was high and muscular, with arms as big as trees. He was never happy, and a scar cut his left eye. He was intelligent and courageous, and he never failed a task. His friend Karl instead was fat and stubby, he was always smiling, and he never risked his life, or his ship. He was very cautious, but he was a skillful sailor, totally capable of sailing in a hurricane. They together formed a Scuba Pirate team.

These pirate teams consisted of a ship captain, who sailed the boat, and the Diver, the Diver had to keep his breath for a long period of time, he had to dive to the enemy ship and stick a bomb under the ship or climb on the ship, and exterminate all the passengers. These teams, although very small, were feared throughout all the Zaninian Empire, the Diver could eliminate an entire crew!

The old man was captain Gud, the teacher of the two teenagers. He was a retired Scuba Pirate, with a fast mind, and always a smile on his face. In fact he had that smile, when Jack and Karl approached him. He then announced, " I have splendid news for you, you have both passed the exam with the highest grade," he gave Jack a folded piece of paper, Jack opened it and read, "Grades based on the six traits: damage received; 5, damage made; 5, speed; 5, perfection; 5, beauty of explosion; 5, strategy; 5. Final grade 100%, signed Mrs. Kelly Witter." Captain Gud exclaimed, "Congratulations, you have finally become Scuba Pirates. "

Jack read the piece of paper over and over, and then he ran to embrace captain Gud, first Gud responded to the hug with an affectionate smile, but then he pushed away Jack, and his face lost every trace of happiness. Jack turned suddenly, and he understood the reason for the changes in Gud. Ten pirates were approaching slowly; they had their swords already drawn. Jack unsheathed his sword, Gud announced, "These are the men of the Scuba Pirate Mario Zanini, brother of our great emperor, and they want me to tell them the secrets of the true art of Scuba Pirates."

Karl was no fighter, he could only pilot a boat, and so he hastily retreated. Jack instead had been trained to do nothing but destroy, he raised his sword, and with a heart-stopping cry, he charged the enemy. Although much more expert, the enemy pirates were no match for a Scuba Pirate, in a few minutes, they were all on the ground. Jack turned to face his friends, but he found only Karl, he was semi- conscious, but Jack had the satisfaction to notice three bodies spread around him. There was no trace of Gud. With a sharp kick he awoke Karl. He explained, "five pvirates attacked us, I vas able to defeat dree, but van of dem hit me on the head, und de last ting I saw vas dem fleeing vif capvtain Gud captive." Jack thought hard, were on Jupiter could they have brought Gud, and then he understood, " prepare the boat, " he ordered Karl, "we have a captain to find."

Jack and Karl ran in the academy, they told the director what had happened. The Director answered, "We need to hurry, I will try to make the celebration shorter. Captain Karl, you are awarded the galleon, "Moaning Seal," and its crew, blablabla, ah here it is, Jack Curnington, you are about to become Scuba Pirate, do you promise to honour our guild, and to kill and steal for the rest of your life," Jack hesitated, and then he answered, " I do."

The galleon was enormous; Karl looked at it with a pleased smile, and said, "Tis is life!" They climbed on the deck, and walked until the command station. There they found the second in command, which greeted them with a bow and he said, " Captain Karl, we are happy to meet you, and serve you. I am Sergeant Vlad Gory, and this is your new ship." Jack said, " there is no time for formalities, we need to find captain, He was captured by captain Mario, and his ship is already sailing away. I hope this ship is fast enough to overtake Mario's sip," Vlad bowed again, and while walking away he said," I think you are going to like this ship, Captain Karl, with the right captain it can go pretty fast." Karl looked at him and whispered, " we shall see."

Captain Karl was fantastic, the stream of orders that exited his mouth was continuous, and so was the increasing of the speed, after one hour of sailing they finally sighted Mario's galleon. It was captained, by the best commander in the Zaninian Empire, after Karl of course. They rapidly reached the enemy ship, the two ships were manoeuvred until they were parallel to each other, and then the cannons started to shoot.

The first cannon ball hit the moaning seal on a side, causing little damage. The moaning seal responded to the fire, and the battle finally started. Amongst the General confusion Jack told the crew, " nobody is permitted to jump on the enemy ship, I will attack it alone, Your job is only to defend this ship, understood," the entire crew responded with a yes, so Jack skilfully jumped aboard of the enemy ship, he unsheathed his sword, and he said, "they'll see what a scuba pirate can do." The enemy crew laughed at Jack, thinking that one man could not beat fifty, but they were wrong. Jack attacked first, he moved at an incredible speed, and ten pirates were dead even before they took out their swords. Jack attacked everywhere, he was united with the sword, and nobody even scratched him. By the end of the battle he was alone, and on the floor were fifty men, nobody moving. Jack was about to put his sword away when he heard a voice. "Are you tired? I see my men were not strong enough to beat you, but can you beat me?" Jack turned, but he knew to whom the voice belonged, it was Mario, greatest Scuba Pirate of all times. Jack raised his sword, and with no fear, he charged.

Mario easily blocked the sword. Jack attacked him again, again, and again, but he could never break the enemy's defence. But then he had an idea, Mario could be better than him at fighting on the ground, but he had heard that, although he was a good Scuba Pirate, he was not good at fighting underwater. Under the surface of the water you had to have an incredible strength to strike the enemy hard enough to make any damage. Jack had trained an entire year, and now he could cut open a coconut under the water with his bear hands. Mario instead, could not cut a coconut underwater also if he had the best sword. The decision was made, Jack faked to attack the enemy, and then he turned around, he took a deep breath, and then he jumped into the water.

Mario stupidly chased after him, understanding too late the game of Jack. Jack quickly struck, making Mario loose grip on the sword, the sword fell into the abyss of the sea. Jack struck again, and his sword perforated easily the flesh of his belly. Mario's body stopped moving, and the victorious Jack climbed back on the ship. He searched all the boat, and he finally found the cabin were Captain Gud was imprisoned. He was tied to a chair, they had tried to convince him to tell them the information they were searching for, but they had not used the force. Jack quickly untied him, and they walked out the deck.

Jack was the first to exit from the deck, but what he found shocked him greatly. He found Mario smiling at him, how did he survive? Then he understood, he did not kill him, but only injured, him, Mario had faked to die, and his ability to keep his breath had helped him. Then he had climbed on the ship, waiting for Jack. Jack thought all this while Mario's sword was swinging towards his neck. Instinctively he raised his sword, and he blocked the blow. Then he saw a knife plunging towards his stomach, he tried to block that too, but it was too late.


By: Adriano Zanini Astaldi

Pepin the short

Pepin the short, the small king who was father of Charlemagne, the great leader of France. The playwrit decided to write this fabulous play focusing on the life of this small but funny character, creating a very interesting play. I enjoyed it for many reasons, the background art, the good acting of the performers, and much more. The actors looked frequently at the audience, making it part of the play. Read and enjoy the play of Tony Cucchiara.

The play is set in France, between 735 and 740 b.c.. The main character are Pepin the short, Falista, who fakes to be Pepin's promised wife, and then marries with him, her squire Marante, Berta, who is the true promised wife, and three diplomats who are called: Bernardo, Aquilone, and Morando. My favorite character is Pepin, because he has a good sense of humorism, making everybody laugh. The play was written by Tony Cucchiara in 1978.

The play opens in the palace of Pepin the short, he is old, and his courtesans try to convince him to marry, so he can have descendants to run the kingdom after his death. He acknowledges the problem, and he says that he will marry with a beautiful women, and have many descendants. He asks his courtesans to find for him such a women, and they say that Berta, the princess of Hungary, is young, beautiful, and unmarried. Pepin the short tells them to send his diplomats: Bernardo, Aquilone, and Morando, to the King of Hungary with many presents. They will then ask Berta's hand, in the name of Pepin. The courtesans then say to Pepin that Berta has only one problem, she has one foot bigger than the other. The courtesans are relieved when Pepin says he does not care. The travel is planned, and the three diplomats depart for Hungary. Arrived to the king's palace, they ask the fatidical question to the father of Berta. The king answers with a yes, he is happy for the daughter, but he is sad for her departure. They depart again, but they are stopped a German baron. The baron invites them to a party and they happily accept. The party goes well, but the German king is evil, and he sends his daughter Falista and her squire to travel with the group. The baron has a plan, the squire will kill Berta, and Falista will take her place. The plan is successful, Falista marries with Pepin, but one thing goes wrong. Marante does not have the heart to kill Berta, so he leaves her tied to a tree to die of hunger. A hunter passes nearby and saves Berta. Ten years later there is another problem, the King of Hungary and his wife visit Pepin, but they find Falista instead of Berta. Pepin gets angry, and condemns to death The two of them. The servant does not want to die, so he says that if he beats the king's hero, he they will be safe. He wins, but he kills also a courtesan, so they are slain anyways. The search for Berta starts, and they find her story sewn on a carpet. They find Berta, and Pepin marries her, They live happy ever after, and Pepin finally has his descendant, Charlemagne.

After this long, but I hope interesting, summary I hope the reader is still awake to read my opinion on the story. I think the traits of this play, that make it good are: the very artistic background, making the reader always understand the setting, the fantastic acting of the performers, they were funny, they made the audience part of the play, and they had clear voices, and finally the music. The play was full of songs, with fantastic musicians, singers and dancers. The problem of the play is the length; nobody understands that by the end of the play half of the audience is asleep, and only somebody discovers how the play finishes? This is not the fault of the actors, the actors' jobs are: to memorize their parts, to speak clearly so the audience understands at least some words, to not only use the voice, but also the hands, and to help other actors in difficulty, for example when they forget their lines.

In conclusion, I hope you all go to see this play also if you know all the story already. It not only entertains you, but it teaches you important facts on Pepin the short, king of France, and father of Charlemagne.

Sri Lanka: a forgotten conflict

The conflict in Sri Lanka between the government and the " the Tigers", or Rebels, is very old, but for a long period of time it was forgotten. The biggest reason for it disappearing from everybody's minds is journalism. The journalists are not allowed to personally see the war, so there is little information on what is happening. The government is trying to eradicate all the Rebel bases, recently they found one, but it was empty. The War goes on, and the government is winning. We can't understand the details of the conflict, because the information that come from the government are "a little" biased.

The conflict was forgotten for many years, and it was only recently rediscovered. The main reason for this is that the government does not allow journalists to personally see the conflict, but it gives all the information itself. As a consequence the public is more interested in other conflicts were they see the actual fighting and the condition of the people, like the conflict in the middle east. This covers the conflict in Sri Lanka with a blanket, a blanket from which little is filtered out.

A recent fact is the discovery of a rebel base, but when it was discovered, it had already been abandoned. The rebels continue moving in the small piece of land they still control, making the task of finding them almost impossible. The "tigers" used the guerrilla warfare. This warfare consists of small and mobile units who attack the enemy with ambushes and raids. This warfare was very efficient, so the government army also started using it and it proved a good decision, bringing a fast victory over the rebels.

Although the conflict is mysterious the winner is evident. The government controls the majority of the country, it has better weapons, and more troops; while the rebels are a disorganized group of normal people, who fight with what they can find. One day the government will take control, it can be now or later, but it will happen. This conflict does not affect me personaly, but I found it interesting for two reasons, firstly because the government only gives information about it, and secondly because the conflict is going on from thirty years and my parents have lived most of their lives with the war, without knowing it.

The Sri Lanka conflict is a mysterious and old war; mysterious because the government doesn't leave journalists personally see the war, but it gives the information itself. The rebels move continuously, making the eradication of their bases difficult, also if they find a base it is empty. Both the government and the Rebels use the Guerrilla warfare, which consists of raids, and ambushes. The winner is certain; the government, it is better armed, more organized, and numerically superior, so the war gives little surprises.

finally rest

Almost every student desires only one thing, rest. After weeks of exhausting school a student is not only physically tired, but also mentally tired. The only pause in this continuous torture is vacation. The tired student would like to completely relax and sleep day after day, but this is impossible.

There are two places were I would like to pass a wonderful time; one is the mountains, a holiday in the bitter cold, while having fun skiing and sledging, or a holiday in the great rain forest. The watchful steps of a small teenager compared to the immensity of the dangerous nature. This is how I want my vacations, read and imagine.

For my vacations I would really like to sleep, read, play, study, ski, and other relaxing things. A holiday should be a time were all the family is united and happy.

I would like to go to the mountains like every year, ski in the bitter cold and feel the speed of you sliding down the mountain. The wonderful feeling of victory when you win a race and you receive your cup, the clapping of the people when you raise it, higher and higher. Then you go back home, tired from the ski day. You try to warm your cold hands, and you feel a terrible pain when the blood starts flowing again through your hands. Another day you can go sledging. You try to control your sledge while your speed increases. You go faster, faster, faster, and then you slam into the wood wall erected for protection. You stand, a bit dizzy, and you jump on the sledge, and you push until you regain the speed.

Another thing I desire is to go to the Amazonian Rain forest. Walking through the trees looking fearfully at every shade, turning in the direction of every noise, thinking a jaguar will attack you every second. You do not feel the tiredness in your feet, after you have walked for miles, but only the strong feeling of curiosity for the wonderful world which surrounds you. The pacific animals are mixed with the hostile and dangerous creatures, what you imagine is only a little ant turns out to be bigger, and less patient, and suddently it bites the finger with which it was being squashed. Wherever you turn you see the green of the plants, also the sky is blocked by the enormous trees. If you come out alive and you don't get lost in the enormous forest, then you will have a wonderful story to tell to your children.

These two voyages are very different, one is cold and full of light, the other is hot and full of shade and dangers. Nothing in them is similar but one thing, they have been both desired by me.

Blitzkrieg

Blitzkrieg is a word of which the meaning is ignored by most of humanity, but its provinience is obvious, it is German. In fact the Germans invented this tactic. Translated in English it means lightning war. The Blitzkrieg is a plan in which a strong but fast army sweeps in the enemy lines. It is light, but efficient, and the enemies are surprised, not ready to fight. It is important to understand what it is, and what was its function in the Second World War.

The German storm troopers used this tactic, they were small groups of well trained soldiers, and this was their problem. They were efficient against a small number of enemies, or in closed places, but they couldn't harm an enormous army of soldiers. Also the bravest unit can't fight alone against an army. Their primary weapon was the light machine gun, this was a portable weapon, but it had a higher rate of fire than the normal guns. With this weapon and the flame thrower these groups had enough strength, and mobility to conquer entire bases. In many cases they were supported by tanks, with their high speed, defense, and strong missile mountings could have a strong and destructive power

This tactic was developed by Germans in the end of World War one, but it was developed too late to save Germany from loosing the war. Hitler used it in World War two, and this brought a fast victory on many countries. The storm troopers used Blitzkrieg to sweep into France, and they arrived in Paris within a couple of weeks. The French were impotent against this tactic. They could only witness Germanies strength without having the possibility of defending themeselves. Soldiers didn't have the time to snatch their weapons and they were dead. This brought a sudden victory of Hitler on all western Europe.

I think it was an intelligent tactic, but it should not have been invented, as with all the military tactics, it brings only death, wars should not exist, and people continue to invent methods to kill more efficiently. If we ignore the moral part of the tactic it is a good plan. It combines speed with strength, and most armies don't have either of them.

Bullfighting: a sport or a massacre

A current controversy is if Michelito Lagraver, an eleven year old bullfighter, is to be allowed to continue this dangerous sport. The two sides have good reasons. The ones who want Michelito to stop argue that it is dangerous, for a so young boy, and killing bulls just for fun is a wrong thing. The other side instead says that they are free to do whatever they want, and they say its a serious sport, they do not do it only for fun, but also for money. I will try to support both sides, and if i am successful this means I am ready to become a lawyer, and to end school, only joking.

Bull fighting is wrong, how can you do a so insane thing, only to make the people who are watching have fun. Killing is wrong, it is against Christianity, and Michelito killed six bulls only in one match, this means that many bulls are massacred without reason, so we have to stop bullfighting. It is also very dangerous for an eleven year old boy to fight against a bull. He could get seriously hurt, and obviously also the killed animal will get seriously hurt. imagine if your life has to end only because a bunch of insane people want too see a lot of blood. It is similar to the gladiators in ancient Rome, although they have been banned by a few thousand years.

Bullfighting is right, it is so funny seeing the head of the bull fly from the body. Bull fighting produces meat, and gives also an amusing show to thousands of people, why should you stop the population having fun, don't hunters always kill their preys, but does somebody tell them to stop, yes! Ehm, well let's make it a no,No! And so why should they should stop us. Michelito is in no danger, he has killed thousand of bulls while training, so if somebody is in danger that is the bull. Mc. Donald supports us, why take away all those yummy hamburgers. So we should keep bullfighting, bulls amuse people when they dye, and are also liked by people when they are eaten, what a wonderful life.

You have many reasons to ban bullfighting, and you have no reason to support bullfighting, so it is an easy choice. And although I failed to be a Lawyer now I have a new ambition, the environmentalist. My first mission is already a success, stop bullfighting once and for all, you'll save the bulls and Michelito from terrible deaths.

A distracted boy

When I was in second grade I had a completely different character than I have now. I was not a very diligent and attentive boy, I was very distracted in school, and during the lessons I thought of everything apart what I should have thought about, school. This was not a good thing, because paying little attention to the lessons minimized my learning, and brought me to understand little of what we were studying at school.

In second grade we were studying multiplications. All those numbers flowing in the heads of the young brains of my classmates and me brought big confusion. We had a test on every number, from one to nine. I aced the test on the number one without difficulties, You don't need a great intelligence to rewrite the number multiplied by one. The test on number two was going to be harder. This time you had to know yor time tables, and since I had not understood the basic principle of multiplication, I had no chance to succeed. The date of the test arrived, and I still didn't know how to multiply by two. I had not paid attention to the lessons, so I failed the test, and got the first F of my whole life. I was really shocked by this grade, and so I thought of a method to get better grades in the future, and then I found the answer, and it was very simple.

I learned the lesson, I had to pay attention to the lessons and getting lost in my thoughts brought no good, so I started being diligent and a good student, this brought many A and I never got another F in my life.

Tourism, an experience for the life

A lot of people depart for many travels in distant lands, they gain an experience that they will bring for the rest of the lives, The Humid heat of the Sahara desert with the magestic piramids in the horizon, or the freezing cold in the highest place on Earth. What does the country gain, it gains pollution, rubbish, and an army of strangers who photograph every five seconds. The governament gains money, but the people who live in the Amazonian forest, or the Saharian nomads, Or the sherpas in Nepal, they gain little money, and what can you do with fifty euros in the middle of the desert, or in a village lost in the mountains, so they gain nothing.

The trash is conquering the world, we get continously surrounded by it. An example of this is the recent crisis in Naples, when the crash had 6the best on humanity and filled an entire city. The same problem happens in many countries of the third world. The tourists arrive, and with their mouths full of crumbs, they say "This place is absolutely wonderful", and while they say this huge crumbes fall from their mouths and kill thousands of small insects that have lived there for thousand of years. Maybe in their tiny world there is a hero that is about to save an ant hive which is getting attacked by another hive, and then a giant foot arrives jumping on the hive. This destruction can be seen also in the human world, the food containers that fall in the tourist sites are rarely biodegradable, and so they ruin the country, only because a family wants to see the piramids.

Tourism has also some good aspects, most for the tourists. It gives money to the citizens, that can civilize those people, and so changetheir culture. It gives money to farmers who have seen nothing in their lives but cows. With fifty euros they can by a book when they can't even read, or they can by a cellphone when they have no signal, reffered to the sherpas. They have lived without money for centuries, and they could live without it forever.

Tourism can be terrible, but that doesn't mean I don't like it.

Gaza Conflict: why did it start?

The Gaza Conflict has been present for many generations, but the real war started only a week ago. The history of the war dates back to the end of World War I. Why did it start? Why does it continue? These questions need to be answered!

The start of the war is related to the end of WWI. At the end of this terrible massacre Great Britain, of whom owned territories in the modern Palestine, and to show their sympathy to the destitute Jews, made a proposal to the UN to create a country in the Middle-East for the Jew race called Israel. The Jews were happy to finally have a territory of their own, but the native inhabitants were not content with the fact that they were forced to leave their houses forever. This left the Palestinians with a grudge against the Jews, and it would not pass until action was taken against the nation of Israel.

Just recently the tensions between Gaza and Israel arrived to its limits as Israel invaded the Gaza Strip. The recent fighting, which is still going on, has been horrible. There were many civilian casualties, and not many HAMAS casualties. Israel knows that it has not yet vanquished HAMAS as rockets are still being fired into Israel. Hezbollah has responded to this by firing several rockets into northern Israel. Israel, to stop the terrorist attacks by HAMAS, has bombed most of the surface of the Gaza strip, and they also bombed the UN base there. Though the surface actions of HAMAS may have been destroyed, the underground operations are still happening.

A person can take two sides on this issue, that of the Gaza Strip, and that of Israel. Though many people have condemned Israel for starting this recent fighting, Israel does have good reasons for doing this. Gaza has been firing rockets into Israel for a long time, and have killed many Israelite citizens. In reality, Israel is only protecting its citizens. Gaza though also has reasons to be outraged at Israel. One of these reasons is that it has been HAMAS that has been firing missiles, but many civilians of the Gaza Strip have been killed in nighttime bomb runs by Israel. Fighting, dying, these are all names of terrible things that make up what we call war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli-Palestinian_conflict
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/worldhistory/palestinianisraeliconflict1.htm