You're probably in suspense from the last post, right? You must be wondering what happens to the gentleman in the story! Or, if you're just joining us, you must be very confused! We were telling the tale of the Goblin of La Via del Corno, set in Florence, and about a gentleman and goblin that lived together in that great city. If you haven't read the first post, I suggest that you go and do that now and then come back here for the climax of the tale! While you're at it, find the perfect luxury villa in Florence and you can spot the locations from the story for yourself and explore the rest of the stunning city.
When the gentleman heard the goblin's ominous warning he merely laughed and said, “Don't be silly! There isn't water enough in the Arno now to drown a duck, unless she held her head under in a tiny puddle.” The goblin moved to the window and took a look out at the stars. Then he whistled and said, "'As I expected, it is written that you are to be drowned tomorrow, unless you carry this horn of mine hung around your neck all day.” Then he said “If thou find'st thyself forlorn, Blow aloud this little horn, And thou wilt be safe and sound, For with it thou'lt not be drowned.” He then gave the horn to the man, finished his drink of the evening and went to bed.
The man, however, was more worried by all of this than he cared to admit. The next day he avoided the Arno, though it was as dry as a bone, didn't take a bath and was almost afraid to wash his face. It then occurred to him that someone might, perhaps, come into his empty house and take him away to drown him. He remembered the old hidden chamber in the palace and went to go hide. Leaping inside, the old and weak floor collapsed beneath him. He fell into a giant vat of wine below. The sides were too high to climb out and he clung to a side, screaming for help.
Suddenly, he remembered the horn and blew into it. It rang all over Florence and was heard even beyond Fiesole. Everyone came running and the man was saved. The next evening the goblin said, “My son, this is our last night together. You are safe and I have fulfilled my duty. I once was a man like you and, in that life, you saved me from assassins. I promised I would protect you then and give you a happy ending.” He ensured a happy marriage and good contacts for the man and promised to return if he was truly needed, the man just had to blow on the horn. The gentleman missed his friend but lived happily and he put the horn in his shield which is on display in Santa Maria Novella.
To see the horn and the street named after it for yourself, be sure to visit this part of Tuscany!
Suddenly, he remembered the horn and blew into it. It rang all over Florence and was heard even beyond Fiesole. Everyone came running and the man was saved. The next evening the goblin said, “My son, this is our last night together. You are safe and I have fulfilled my duty. I once was a man like you and, in that life, you saved me from assassins. I promised I would protect you then and give you a happy ending.” He ensured a happy marriage and good contacts for the man and promised to return if he was truly needed, the man just had to blow on the horn. The gentleman missed his friend but lived happily and he put the horn in his shield which is on display in Santa Maria Novella.
To see the horn and the street named after it for yourself, be sure to visit this part of Tuscany!
Photo credit: www.cgpgrey.com / CC BY 2.0