Catalina had no idea what was going on. She was sent by her mother to go shopping for food, and the church happened to be on the way to the market. There were five grown n, dressed in rags, and they were shouting at the top of their lungs. Surprisingly, she could make out their ravings, and they sounded awfully similar to the hymns she had once heard the choirboys in the church sing. She had wanted to sing in the churchhow wonderful it would be to have her voice heard by everyone she knew. For weeks, she had practiced, but her dreams were cruelly dashed when her parents told her only boys could beco a choirboy. She thought it was unfair.
While her attention was drawn by the five shouting tramps, a pungent sll assaulted her nostrils, and sothing large bumped into her side, causing her to nearly drop her basket. Her foot slipped, and before she could hit the ground, a dirty hand grabbed her shoulder and propped her up. Oops, sorry about that, a gruff voice said. It belonged to an old man with black dirt covering most of his body. After steadying her, the old man left and joined the five tramps singing in the plaza.
Catalina wiped at her shoulder where a greasy stain had been left on her smock. She cringed when a wheezy voice joined the horrendous singingif it could be called that. She looked around and found many bystanders like herself who were engaged in watching the tramps. She walked up to a woman wearing a dress, one of her neighbors that she knew. Mrs. Grana, why are those n reciting hymns as if their lives depend on it?
Im not sure, Cat, Mrs. Grana said and shook her head. It started with one tramp. When he started shouting, I nearly had a heart attack. Then another one joined in. And now theres four more. She shook her head and tutted, but it was hard to hear her over the shouting of the tramps. I wonder why the church is tolerating this. Is it because theyre shouting hymns?
At that mont, another tramp walked by. Catalina mustered up her courage and waved. Excuse . She walked up to the side of the approaching tramp. Mister, are you going to sing too?
The tramp blinked before nodding.
Catalina looked up at him with round eyes. May I ask why?
If we sing, well be given food, the tramp said. With that, he rushed forward, not letting Catalina have another chance to ask any question. He soon joined the six tramps and paused a bit, only singing once he determined which verse they were on.
Catalina lowered her hand which had been ready to grab onto the tramps sleeve. She had hesitated since it was dirty, but now it was too late. However, there was an approaching line of tramps. She recognized one of them, a beggar who usually sat near a bakery. She had greeted him once, but her mother had pulled her away. Beggars really would be moved by food, but who was going to give it to them? The church? She went back to Mrs. Grana and said, The church is going to give them food if they sing hymns.
Is that true? Mrs. Grana asked and fiddled with her gloves. There arent any special holidays, but perhaps the church has food that is about to spoil and decided to donate it to the poor. Go, go ho and tell everyone you know that the church is going to give food to anyone who sings in the plaza.
Yes, maam, Catalina said and ran ho without stopping. Her mother gave her a weird look upon seeing the basket was empty. Mom, Dad! The church is giving out free food to anyone who sings in the plaza! Theres already a lot of people there; if we dont hurry, there wont be any left for us!
***
Leo X furrowed his brow. He stood up and walked to the window. Upon seeing the massive crowd outside, he froze. After a brief mont, he went back to his desk and rang his bell. A nun walked into the room. Yes, Your Holiness? she asked with a strange expression on her face.
Why are there so many people singing outside of the church? Leo X asked.
The nun pursed her lips. Your Holiness, isnt this your idea? You promised to give food to anyone who sang outside in the plaza. At least, thats what Father Matteo told us.
Leo Xs face contorted. The nun could almost see question marks floating up from the popes head. Tell Father Matteo to co see !
The nun left, and not much longer, a priest hurried into the room. He bowed. Your Holiness was looking for ?
What do you an were giving food to anyone who sings? Leo X said, his eyes locked onto the priests.
Matteo gulped. I went outside to ask why people were singing in front of the church. They told that you promised to give them food if they did. He hesitated and lowered his head. You didnt promise them that?
I didnt! Leo X climbed to his feet and checked out the window again. The plaza was completely filled. There were even more people singing than there were people who ca to his coronation! Get rid of them all! Tell them to disperse! Those rumors were spread by so troublemakers!
Matteo swallowed. Your Holiness, Im afraid if we tell them that we wont be giving them food, theyll storm the church. If I had to take a guess, the whole city has gathered here today.
Leo X sat back down and rubbed his temples. What was going on!?
***
Mr. Skelly scratched his skull. He turned towards the rare skeleton that could speak. Say, he said, didnt I only tell the tramps to start singing? How is it that the whole city has gathered?
The skeleton stared straight ahead. What are your next orders? it asked, completely ignoring Mr. Skellys question.
Mr. Skelly scratched his skull again. What was he going to do now?
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