Pegman takes us Mdina , capital of Malta til Medieval times. Mdina is an ancient walled city, steeped in history. Wonder what it’s like to live there ? Here’s my 150 word story.
photo courtesy of adventurouskate
Suppertime in Mdina
‘Papa- Arturo – supper’s ready, come and eat. Lampuki pie, your favourite.’
‘I’m coming Liena, smells good. What would I do without you, now that Mama is with the angels. Do you know, the walls of our house are two metres thick, build up against the ancient Citta Vecchia walls ?’
‘Yes Papa, you already told me. Will you get electric lighting soon ? I worry about you tripping over in the dark corners of the house with only lamplight.’
‘Liena, we need to have a talk about your future now that you’ve left school. Marriage to a steady local boy, like the Calleja’s son. They live in Mdina so you’d be close by. Working in the lace shop until you have children…’
‘Oh Papa ! Please – I want to spread my wings and fly – meet different people, other cultures, study abroad….’
‘Liena, your ingratitude shocks me, you would trample on our traditions. You would desert your old father. You must decide…
April 17, 2018 at 7:54 pm
While lampuki pie was new and exotic to me, the generation gap was old and familiar. Finding a livable compromise between the wishes of people like Papa and Liena is harder than googling [lampuki pie].
April 18, 2018 at 12:55 pm
Like your intriguing link between exotic pies and the generation gap. Agree that finding such a compromise is a tough task.
April 16, 2018 at 7:48 pm
Nothing worse than when one stays behind to take care of the remaining parent instead of spreading her wings and going out there. I actually know someone who made that mistake. Was free only when her second parent died and she was already well into her 60’s before she found “freedom”…
April 18, 2018 at 12:56 pm
very tough position to be in, I agree.
April 16, 2018 at 9:51 am
I hope she finds a way to fly in her life, and the pair find a way to balance selfishness with humility.
April 16, 2018 at 5:02 pm
I agree Kelvin, your wish is a wise one.
April 15, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Realistic conflict between the generations over independence for the young. Papa is being selfish, I fear – he enjoys his Lampuki pie too much to let his daughter go!
April 16, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Thanks Penny. I feel for both of them- imagine its a cause of angst in many families. Neither side is ‘wrong’ – are they ?
April 15, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Great dialogue! A slice of life in that tug of war between tradition and independence.
April 16, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Thanks Karen – glad you like the dialogue. I wanted Papa to sound like the traditional patriarch, telling not asking Liena.