In 2001, a group of American archaeologists excavating in Florence, passing by the church cemetery, discovered the burial of a certain Lorenzini. On the tombstone it was indicated that he was known under the pseudonym Carlo Collodi and that he was the author of the world famous fairy tale "The Adventures of Pinocchio". Having stood in sadness at the grave of the writer, the archaeologists continued on their way. But suddenly, one of the scientists called out to the others: Look, what a funny coincidence, Pinocchio rests very close to the ashes of Collodi! …
On the tombstone of Pinocchio Sanchez, it was indicated that he was born in 1790, and did not become him in 1834. This means that the adult Pinocchio Sanchez could theoretically communicate with the child Lorenzini.
Exhumation
So did the wooden hero of the famous children's fairy tale have a real prototype? Unlikely. This mystery seemed so interesting and important to archaeologists that they, to the detriment of their main work, began to investigate. But there was no thread to grasp.
The Americans decided that it was necessary either to stop the useless search, or to obtain permission from the Italian authorities to exhume Sanchez. In response to a request from archaeologists, the Italians asked: how will the remains of Pinocchio's body help establish the truth?
Archaeologists were not able to clearly explain this, because the word "intuition" for officials of any country is an empty phrase.
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It makes no sense to describe the efforts that scientists had to make to achieve what they wanted - this is a very long story. The main thing is that they eventually received the right to exhumate.
The body was removed from the grave and subjected to examination.
Wooden prototype
The Americans' intuition did not disappoint. It turned out that the alleged prototype of the wooden man himself turned out to be largely … wooden. At least, instead of legs, he had wooden prostheses, and a wooden insert flaunted in place of his nose.
On one of the dilapidated prostheses, a brand with the initials of the master Carlo Bestulgi was found.
Now the archaeologists are doing better. Firstly, they themselves had an incentive to further search for the truth, and secondly, the find was appreciated by the Italians, who now gratefully helped the researchers.
The leadership of Florence was interested in the next, and even such an unusual item, to appear on the list of tourist attractions. A joint American-Italian effort was able to find church records that told about Pinocchio.
A soldier's fate
It turns out that Pinocchio was a dwarf. But this did not stop him from being drafted into the army, where Sanchez served 15 years.
Small stature did not free Pinocchio from the hardships of soldier's everyday life. Once, during a training exercise in the mountains, when other warriors easily jumped over obstacles, short-legged Sanchez fell off a cliff, breaking his lower limbs and shattering his nose.
Pinocchio survived but lost both legs. In addition, instead of a nasal septum, the former soldier now had a wooden insert. The wonderful master Carlo Bestulgi made him even more "wood" by making prostheses.
When Sanchez returned from the army, he had no family left. Pinocchio learned to masterly use prostheses, but he still could not work. The money received during the demobilization ran out, and now Pinocchio was starving. Compassionate neighbors fed him, but they themselves could not always boast of wealth. Therefore, sometimes the unfortunate person went to bed on an empty stomach.
And then one day Sanchez went to the market, where he hoped to beg some food from the vendors. There he was noticed by the owner of one of the booths. He immediately decided that a dwarf, and even an invalid, could be very useful in his affairs. The owner promised Pinocchio that if he mastered a few simple tricks, he would take him to his work. Pinocchio happily agreed to this. Since then, he performed at fairs and in booths and did not starve until his death.
And the death of the little man did not come as a result of a serious illness, but because Sanchez made a serious mistake while performing one of his tricks and crashed.
And yet, despite the name and "woodiness" of Pinocchio, it was still impossible to say unconditionally that Sanchez was the prototype of the famous fairytale boy. The last link in the chain of this evidence was clearly missing. But no more documents were found that mentioned Pinocchio.
Failed priest
Then the researchers decided to take a closer look at the personality of Carlo Lorenzini-Collodi. Both mother and father Carlo served in one of the Florentine houses. They worked a lot, because they needed to support ten children.
The parents sent their eldest son Carlo to study at the seminary. After graduating from this educational institution, young Lorenzini did not become a priest. He began writing articles and stories for newspapers and magazines. When he realized that he could earn this, he began to publish his own satirical magazine.
In 1850 he released a novel, the reviews of which were very disapproving. Realizing that critics will now be allergic to his name for a long time, Lorenzini decided to take the pseudonym Collodi. This was the name of the village in which his mother was born.
Popularity came to Carlo in 1856, when his novel "Steam" was published. But Collodi became world famous after he wrote The Adventures of Pinocchio.
Carlo Collodi died in Florence. This sad event happened on October 26, 1890. The writer was buried in the cemetery at the Church of San Miniato al Monte. It was there that American archaeologists discovered two graves, which were discussed at the beginning of our story.
The cemetery of the San Miniato al Monte abbey, where Carlo Collodi is buried.
Surprise
Americans began to thoroughly study the life and work of Collodi. It came to manuscripts, letters and other papers left after him. But no hint of acquaintance with Pinocchio himself, or even with his fate, was found. Scientists decided to look for the descendants of those from whom the writer received correspondence. Who knows, maybe he expounded this information that worried him to someone.
Once a local newspaper correspondent came to the Americans' hotel and offered to write an article about the prototype of Pinocchio. The scientists agreed to speak to the journalist, but asked him not to publish anything yet. They promised, if their search was successful, to inform him about it first. The journalist gave his word to their request to fulfill, and yet three days later the article appeared in the newspaper.
The reporter, who had made a mistake, also had the audacity to show up in the researchers' hotel room after a while. At the same time, the Italian was not at all embarrassed, but on the contrary, smiled broadly:
“I’m sure you will immediately change your anger to mercy. After all, I am to you with a surprise, and with what!
The journalist drew a letter from his pocket, which he immediately read:
“I am a descendant of Carlo Lorenzini's cousin. It is not customary in our family to destroy letters, because we consider them to be a true documentary history. The mail that Collodi sent was also preserved. After reading the article, I realized that what scientists are looking for is with me.
I am an elderly person, it is difficult for me to get out of the house myself, and therefore I wait for them at home. Please give them my letter."
Evidence
Archaeologists responded to this invitation immediately. Alas, only a yellowed fragment remained of the letter they needed. But what kind:
“… Oh my dear cousin, you ask me about the immediate plans. In the last message I informed you about this unfortunate and very courageous man - Pinocchio Sanchez. I really want to write about him. At first I thought of creating a serious romance. But for some reason he began to make a fairy tale for children. Why a fairy tale, I myself do not understand. After all, Pinocchio's life was tragic, not fabulous. I don’t know what it will eventually turn into.
By the way, you promise …"
The researchers never found out what the cousin had promised her brother. But the scientists had something much more interesting in their hands - a confirmation of their hypothesis. The only thing left was to analyze the paper and check the handwriting with the surviving manuscripts of the writer.
Analysis showed that the paper on which the message is written is a contemporary of Carlo Collodi, and the letter was undoubtedly drawn in his hand. Now no one had any doubts: yes, indeed, the long-suffering Pinocchio Sanchez is the prototype of one of the most popular literary heroes on our planet.
Ilya BUTMAN