Gianni Rodari - the story of the creation of cipollino. "The Adventures of Cipollino" main characters

(Illustrations published by "Detgiz", 1960, artist E. Galeya)

History of creation

The Adventures of Cipollino was created by Gianni Rodari in 1951. The fairy tale became very popular among Soviet readers, who became acquainted with it in 1953, when the Russian translation of the work was published. They say that the work of the Italian communist writer gained fame in the USSR thanks to the efforts of Samuel Marshak, who patronized Gianni Rodari in every possible way. After all, it is he who owns the translations of Rodari’s poems. So in this case: “The Adventures of Cipollino” was published in Russian under the editorship of the same Marshak.

In the 50s of the 20th century in the USSR, the magazine “Funny Pictures” was popular among children and adults. Its main characters were Dunno, Pinocchio and other heroes of Soviet fairy tales known at that time. Soon Cipollino successfully “joined” their ranks. And five years later, a cartoon of the same name was released, which has not lost its relevance today. The images of the characters were successfully played out by director Boris Dezhkin.

In 1973, a screen version of the film “The Adventures of Cipollino” appeared. Gianni Rodari also found a role here: himself, a writer and storyteller. By the way, for many decades the fairy tale was included in the compulsory study program for schoolchildren.

Description of the work. Main characters

The direction of the work is a social fairy tale, which raises a number of problems. Consists of 29 chapters, an epilogue and “Songs” of the heroes.

Main plot

Cipollino, the key character of the work, angered the formidable Senor Tomato. The boy's father accidentally steps on Mr. Lemon's foot. And then he goes to prison. Cipollino faces a task: to help out his father. Friends come to his aid.

At the same time, new problems are brewing in the town: Senor Tomato decides to destroy Pumpkin’s house, which, as it turns out, was built on the master’s territory. Cipollino and his friends help the residents overcome the arrogant Countesses Cherries, the evil Mr. Lemon and the nasty Senor Tomato.

Psychological characteristics of the main characters, personality, character, their place in the work

The following characters are featured in “The Adventures of Cipollino”:

• Cipollino— onion boy. Brave, kind, charismatic.
• Cipollone- Father Cipollino. Arrested: he made an “attempt” on the ruler of the country, Prince Lemon, by stepping on his toes.
• Prince Lemon- the evil ruler of the “fruit and vegetable” country.
• Countesses Cherries- nasty aunties, mistresses of the village where Cipollino’s friends live.
• Senor Tomato- Cipollino's enemy. In the fairy tale, this is the countess's housekeeper, Cherry.
• Count Cherry- nephew of the Countess Cherry, who supports Cipollino.
• Strawberry- a servant in the house of countesses Vishenok, a friend of Cipollino.
• Pumpkin- an old man living in a tiny house. Cipollino's friend.

There are also many other heroes in the fairy tale: girlfriend Radish, lawyer Pea, violinist Professor Pear, gardener Onion Leek, rag picker Bean, glutton Baron Orange, blackmailer Duke Mandarin, zoo inhabitants and villagers.

Analysis of the work

“The Adventures of Cipollino” is an allegory tale in which the author tried to show social injustice. In the images of Countess Cherry, Senor Tomato, and Prince Lemon, the Italian large landowners are ridiculed, and under the images of Cipollino and his friends the common people are shown.

Cipollino himself is the embodiment of a leader whom others can follow. With the support of friends and like-minded people, it becomes possible to change the existing order, which does not suit the population. Even among the opposite camp, you can find friends who support the self-respect and interests of ordinary people. In the work, Cherry is depicted as such a hero - a representative of the rich who supports the common people.

“The Adventures of Cipollino” is a fairy tale not only for children. Most likely even for teenagers and adults. She teaches: you cannot tolerate injustice and believe fabulous promises. Even in modern society there is a division into social strata. But humanity, mutual assistance, justice, goodness, the ability to get out of any situation with dignity - exists outside of time.

A cheerful and brave bulb from sunny Italy named Cipollino in the 1950s became a symbol of the victory of the oppressed people over the powers that be. With a children's book that is distinguished by its vivid artistic originality, the Italian raised absolutely non-childish questions. Life values, justice, friendship - there was a place for everything on the pages of the work about the adventures of revived vegetables and fruits.

History of creation

The Italian writer Gianni Rodari was a supporter of communism. A defender of the poor and a supporter of social justice, in 1950 he took over the post of editor of the children's magazine Pioneer and personally began to create for children. To begin with, he published a collection of funny poems, and a year after he became head of the publication, he gave the kids a fairy tale story, “The Adventures of Cipollino.”

The book glorified the Italian communist, especially in the Soviet Union, which is quite understandable - the author put in an allegorical form the large landowners and Sicilian barons, whom he contrasted with the poor people.

The work came to Russia in 1953 on the initiative of Rodari, who sympathized with him and patronized him in every way. The Russian poet-storyteller himself took on the task of editing the Italian story translated by Zlata Potapova. The heroes immediately won the hearts of children after appearing on the shelves of Soviet bookstores. Since then, the book with colorful pictures has been published in millions of copies and has even been included in the school curriculum.

The story, which has not lost its relevance to this day, is far from magical works, devoid of fairies, miraculous transformations and phenomena, therefore it is classified as everyday social fairy tales. The characters rely only on their intelligence, ingenuity, courage and correct calculation. The main idea is to show the injustice of oppression of vulnerable sections of society. However, in the fairy tale there was a whole scattering of problems. The story turned out to be fascinating and kind; it consists of 29 chapters, which are crowned by a collection of songs of the heroes.

Biography and plot

The restless boy Cipollino lives in the Lemon Kingdom on the very outskirts of the city. A large onion family lives in squalor in a wooden shack the size of a seedling box. One day, the head of the family, Papa Cipollone, accidentally stepped on the foot with a callus of Prince Lemon, who decided to visit this part of the state. The angry ruler of the country ordered the clumsy onion father to be imprisoned for many years. Thus began the exciting adventures of Cipollino and his comrades.

After a meeting with an imprisoned relative, the boy realized that only innocent people were in prison, and also received instructions from his father to “walk around the world,” gain experience, and see how people live. During the trip, Cipollone told his son to pay special attention to the scammers in power.

Lukovka went on a hike across the endless country, seeing along the way the poverty and lawlessness of his compatriots. Poor godfather Pumpkin

onit Senor Tomato from a small house, which occupied a piece of the master's land, godfather Blueberry makes ends meet, having only halves of scissors, thread and a needle from everything he has acquired, the peasants are starving, sending carts of food to the palace of the countesses of Vishen, and they also pay for air and are trying to learn to breathe less. Cherries are going to establish another tax - on precipitation.

But Cipollino, having enlisted the support of friends, including Besolinka, Professor Grusha, Master Vinogradinka and others, decides to help the people. A struggle against injustice ensues, which ends in complete victory: the flag of Freedom proudly flutters on the castle tower, and the building itself has turned into a palace for children, equipped with a cinema hall, rooms for games and drawing, and a puppet theater.

The tale of class struggle has a dynamic plot and a whole range of wonderful images. Positive and negative characters from the plant world show the relationships between people of different classes. Rodari managed to convey complex things in simple language, giving the work a unique artistic style.

Screen adaptations and productions

In Russia, Cipollino managed to go beyond the paper publication. Lukovka (the meaning of the name translated from Italian) went to television - in 1961, based on the work, a cartoon was released under the direction of Boris Dezhkin, where the main character was voiced by.

The book's gallery of characters is richer than the cast of a Soviet cartoon. Thus, in the story of the Italian communist there live heroes who do not belong to the plant world, for example, Mole, Bear, Spider. The animators kept only characters from the wild, and even then not all of them. I had to say goodbye to Orange, Parsley, and Peas to shorten the film's time.

After another 12 years, Tamara Lisitsian delighted young viewers with the fairy tale film “Cipollino”. In the musical comedy, the character was embodied by Alexander Elistratov. The film starred such Soviet cinema stars as (Countess Cherry), (Prince Lemon), (lawyer Goroshek).

Even Gianni Rodari himself was included in the cast - the writer was given the role of storyteller. Tamara Lisitsian was the wife of one of the leaders of the Italian Communist Party, so she was personally acquainted with Rodari. That's why the author suddenly appeared in her picture.

In 2014, connoisseurs of literature and theater were outraged by the production of a children's play based on the work of Rodari, directed by Ekaterina Koroleva. The plot where the heroes organize a revolution has disappeared from the script of the musical fairy tale. Prince Lemon simply listens to the people, inspiration descends on him, thanks to which the ruler repeals unjust laws and remains in power. The author of the play explained the decision to reshape the idea of ​​the Italian writer:

“We left a social edge in the play, but since I am terribly afraid of any revolutions, a revolution will take place in the minds of the heroes.”

Ban in Russia

Five years ago, Russian society was vigorously discussing the topic of restrictions that the government had imposed on some books, films and cartoons. The fairy tale “The Adventures of Cipollino” by Gianni Rodari is included in the list of harmful literature that is not recommended in Russia for reading by children under 12 years of age.

The ban is imposed in accordance with the Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On the Protection of Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development,” which came into force on Knowledge Day in 2012. In the story of the adventures of the Italian onion, legislators saw episodic depictions of violence.

• Since the late 50s, the hero of the Italian story joined the ranks of the “Merry Men Club”, which lived on the pages of the magazine “Funny Pictures”. The children were entertained by a company from Chipollino, Dunno, Buratino, and later they were joined by Karandash and Samodelkin.

• The talented musician Karen Khachaturyan was invited to write music for the cartoon about the brave Cipollino. Then no one even suspected that the work would result in another new work. The composer admitted: the fairy tale captivated him so much that he couldn’t get it out of his head. Karen Khachaturyan recalled:

“For some reason, every hero now appeared to me in a dance.”

• 12 years later, amazing, sincere music for the ballet in three acts “Cipollino” was born. And so began the brilliant fate of Genrikh Mayorov’s production, which has successfully traveled across the theater stage since 1974. The composer became famous throughout the world, and the ballet became one of the best in contemporary art aimed at children.
• Gianni Rodari first found success in Russia and only then, in 1967, in his homeland. For his “fairytale” works, the writer received a prestigious award - the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.

Quotes

“In this world it is quite possible to live in peace. There is a place on earth for everyone – both bears and onions.”

“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, Signor Tomato! They say vitamins disappear from anger!”

“And, in my opinion, today is a very good day. We have a new friend, and that’s already a lot!”

“Here you go, you can lick this piece of paper. It’s sweet, a year ago it was wrapped in caramel with rum.”

Gianni Rodari - the author of "The Adventures of Cipollino", "Tales on the Telephone", "The Journey of the Blue Arrow" - became famous throughout the world thanks to his optimism, cheerfulness and irrepressible imagination. The kind Italian storyteller managed to instill in the souls of children a belief in goodness and justice, but at the same time he talked about real life, in which there is evil and cruelty. Gianni never lost his imagination, and he taught the children to dream and believe in miracles.

Poor and hungry childhood

The author of “The Adventures of Cipollino” was born in 1920 in the family of a baker and servants. He was not spoiled by either food or luxury, but from a young age the boy stood out for his rich imagination. Gianni was very gifted, he learned to play the violin, wrote poetry, painted, dreaming of becoming a famous painter in the future. Trouble overtook the family when Rodari was 9 years old. His father was very giving to everyone. One day during a heavy downpour, he took out a small kitten from a huge puddle and brought it home. The pet remained alive, but the father fell ill with pneumonia and soon died.

The author of the fairy tale “The Adventure of Cipollino” went to work as a primary school teacher at the age of 17. Rodari's students were incredibly lucky because he gave his students a lot of joy. Children built houses from letters and composed fairy tales together with their mentor. Even as an adult, Gianni knew how to dream and fantasize; at heart he remained the same child who believed in miracles, and this helped him write bright, colorful and memorable works.

A sharp pen and a sincere belief in justice

The author of “The Adventures of Cipollino” fought against oppression all his life, he fought against the fascists with weapons in his hands, and fought for justice with sharp words, working as a correspondent for the newspaper “Unity.” Rodari also taught us to fight evil. Thanks to the dedication of the honest master Vinogradinka, the smart Cipollino, and the kind professor Grusha, the country of vegetables gained freedom, and children from all over the world liked “The Adventures of Cipollino.”

The author was always cheerful, cheerful, and constantly inventing something. Gianni Rodari called his fairy tales toys consisting of words. Bright and memorable characters are etched in children’s memories and taught them to distinguish between truth and lies, good and evil. Absolutely all fairy tales are filled with goodwill and optimism, instilling faith that justice will prevail, and the author played a big role in this. “The Adventures of Cipollino”, “Gelsomino in the Land of Liars”, “Jeep on TV” have become world famous and beloved works for children.

Good storyteller

Rodari always sought to develop the imagination of children. Of course, this does not mean that absolutely everyone with whom he worked became writers, artists and musicians, but the ability to dream makes a person kinder, freer and stronger; Gianni did not want children to be “slaves” in the future. He even wrote a textbook, “The Grammar of Fantasy,” especially for parents, from which children learned to develop their creative abilities. Rodari's fairy tales are filled with kindness, wisdom and optimism, which is why they have attracted interest from more than one generation of young readers.

"The Adventures of Cipollino"(Italian: Il romanzo di Cipollino,; came out as Le avventure di Cipollino) - a fairy tale by the Italian writer Gianni Rodari.

The characters of the fairy tale are anthropomorphic vegetables and fruits: the shoemaker Grape, the godfather Pumpkin, the girl Radish, the boy Cherry, etc. The main character is the onion boy Cipollino, who fights against the oppression of the poor by the rich - Signor Tomato, Prince Lemon.

Plot

Cipollino's father - old Cipollone - is sent to prison because he accidentally stepped on Prince Lemon's callus. Cipollino promises to free his father from prison, for which he leaves home and travels around the country where Prince Lemon and Countess Cherries rule. He comes into conflict with the gentleman Tomato, the manager of the countesses, and makes new friends, with the help of whom he ultimately defeats Signor Tomato, the prince and the countesses.

Characters

Character	Original name	Description
Main characters
Cipollino	Cipollino	The onion boy and the main character of the fairy tale. Can bring tears to anyone who pulls his hair.
Cipollone	Cipollone	Father Cipollino. Arrested for the “attempt” on Prince Lemon, as he stepped on the latter’s callus.
Prince Lemon	Il Principe Limone	The ruler of the country where the events took place.
Signor Tomato	Il Cavalier Pomodoro	Manager and housekeeper of countesses Vishen. Cipollino's main enemy and the main antagonist of the story.
Strawberry	Fragoletta	A maid in the castle of Countesses Vishen. Girlfriend of Cherry and Cipollino.
Cherry	Ciliegino	The young count (in the original - viscount), nephew of the countesses Vishen and friend of Cipollino.
Radish	Ravanella	A village girl, Cipollino's friend.
residents of a village that belonged to the Countesses of Cherries
Kum Pumpkin	Sor Zucchina	Cipollino's friend. An old man who built himself a house so small that he could barely fit in it.
Master Grape	Mastro Uvetta	Shoemaker and friend of Cipollino.
Polka dots	Sor Pisello	Village lawyer and henchman of the gentleman Tomato.
Professor Grusha	Pero Pera	Violinist and friend of Cipollino.
Leek	Pirro Porro	Gardener and friend of Cipollino. He had a mustache so long that his wife used it as a clothesline.
Kuma Pumpkin	Sora Zucca	A relative of godfather Pumpkin.
Beans	Fagiolone	Rag picker. I was forced to roll Baron Orange's belly in my wheelbarrow.
Bean	Fagiolino	The son of the rag picker Fasoli and friend of Cipollino.
Potato	Patatina	Country girl.
Tomatik	Tomatino	Country boy.
inhabitants of the castle of countesses Vishen
Countesses Cherries the Elder and the Younger	Contesse del Ciliegio	Rich landowners who own the village where Cipollino's friends live.
Mastino	Mastino	Countess Cherry's watchdog.
Baron Orange	Il Barone Melarancia	Cousin of the late husband of Signora Countess the Elder. A terrible glutton.
Duke Mandarin	Il Duchino Mandarino	Cousin of the late husband of Signora Countess the Younger, blackmailer and extortionist.
Parsley	Don Prezzemolo	Count Cherry's home teacher.
Mr. Carrot	Mister Carotino	Foreign detective.
Hold-Grab	Segugio	Mr. Carrot's sniffer dog.
doctors who treated Count Cherry
fly agaric	Fungosecco
Bird cherry	Nespolino
Artichoke	Carciofo
Salato-Spinato	Il professor Delle Lattughe
Chestnut	Marrone	“He was called the poor man’s doctor because he prescribed very little medicine to his patients and paid for the medicine out of his own pocket.”
other characters
Lemons, Lemonishki, Lemonchiki	I Limoni, i Limonacci, i Limoncini	Accordingly, the retinue, generals and soldiers of Prince Lemon.
cucumbers	I cetrioli	In the country of Cipollino they replaced horses.
Millipedes
Kum Blueberry	Il sor Mirtillo	Cipollino's friend. He lived in the forest, where he guarded the house of his godfather Pumpkin.
General Longtail Mouse (later Tailless)		The commander-in-chief of the army of mice that lived in the prison.
Mole	La Talpa	Cipollino's friend. Helped the boy free prisoners.
Cat		He was arrested by mistake and ate too much mice in his cell.
Bear	L"Orso	Cipollino's friend, whom the boy helped free his parents from the zoo.
Elephant	L'Elefante	Zookeeper and "old Indian philosopher." Helped Cipollino free the bears.
Zookeeper
Parrot	Il Pappagallo	Zoo inhabitant. He repeated everything he heard in a distorted version.
Monkey		An inhabitant of the zoo, in whose cage Cipollino was forced to sit for two days.
Seal	La Foca	Zoo inhabitant. An extremely harmful creature, because of which Cipollino ended up in a cage.
Woodcutter
Lamefoot	Ragno Zoppo	The Spider and the Prison Postman. He limps due to radiculitis, which developed as a result of being in damp conditions for a long time.
Seven and a half	Sette e mezzo	A spider and relative of the Lamefoot spider. He lost half of his eighth leg in a collision with a brush.
Sparrow		Insect policeman.
Townspeople
Peasants
Forest thieves		They rang the bell of Chernika's godfather to make sure with their own eyes that there was nothing to steal from him, and yet they did not leave empty-handed.
Palace servants
Prison mice		Army of General Longtail.
Wolves		The fingers of godfather Pumpkin were attacked.
Zoo animals
Railway workers
Prisoners
Insects

Translations

In Russian, the story is known in the translation by Zlata Potapova, edited by Samuil Marshak. At the same time, some fragments were omitted or changed:

• The Lemon soldiers spray the poor with "floral cologne, violet essence, and even the finest rose water." In the original it was cologne, violet perfume and Bulgarian rose essence, the best of all.

Absent in the original, but present in the translation

• There are no words in the original that Prince Lemon had significant calluses on his feet.

Film adaptations

Theater productions

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Notes

Club of funny men Works in which individual funny people are found Pinocchio Gurvinek Thumbelina Pencil Dunno Parsley Samodelkin Cipollino The Adventures of Cipollino (1951) Cartoons Filmstrips Works in which several funny people are found Pencil and Samodelkin All the funny people

An excerpt characterizing the Adventures of Cipollino

“We are more busy here in Moscow with dinners and gossip than with politics,” he said in his calm, mocking tone. – I don’t know anything about it and don’t think anything about it. Moscow is most busy with gossip,” he continued. “Now they’re talking about you and the count.”
Pierre smiled his kind smile, as if afraid for his interlocutor, lest he might say something for which he would repent. But Boris spoke distinctly, clearly and dryly, looking directly into Pierre’s eyes.
“Moscow has nothing better to do than gossip,” he continued. “Everyone is busy with who the count will leave his fortune to, although perhaps he will outlive us all, which is what I sincerely wish...
“Yes, this is all very difficult,” Pierre picked up, “very difficult.” “Pierre was still afraid that this officer would accidentally get into an awkward conversation for himself.
“And it must seem to you,” Boris said, blushing slightly, but without changing his voice or posture, “it must seem to you that everyone is busy only with getting something from the rich man.”
“So it is,” thought Pierre.
“But I just want to tell you, in order to avoid misunderstandings, that you will be very mistaken if you count me and my mother among these people.” We are very poor, but I, at least, speak for myself: precisely because your father is rich, I do not consider myself his relative, and neither I nor my mother will ever ask or accept anything from him.
Pierre could not understand for a long time, but when he understood, he jumped up from the sofa, grabbed Boris’s hand from below with his characteristic speed and awkwardness and, flushed much more than Boris, began to speak with a mixed feeling of shame and annoyance.
- This is strange! I really... and who could have thought... I know very well...
But Boris interrupted him again:
“I’m glad I expressed everything.” Maybe it’s unpleasant for you, excuse me,” he said, reassuring Pierre, instead of being reassured by him, “but I hope I didn’t offend you.” I have a rule of saying everything directly... How can I convey it? Will you come to dinner with the Rostovs?
And Boris, apparently having relieved himself of a heavy duty, getting out of an awkward situation himself and putting someone else in it, became completely pleasant again.
“No, listen,” Pierre said, calming down. – You are an amazing person. What you just said is very good, very good. Of course you don't know me. We haven’t seen each other for so long... since we were children... You can assume in me... I understand you, I understand you very much. I wouldn't do it, I wouldn't have the guts, but it's wonderful. I am very glad that I met you. It’s strange,” he added, after a pause and smiling, “what you assumed in me!” - He laughed. - Well, so what? We'll get to know you better. Please. – He shook hands with Boris. – You know, I have never been to the count. He didn’t call me... I feel sorry for him as a person... But what to do?
– And you think that Napoleon will have time to transport the army? – Boris asked, smiling.
Pierre realized that Boris wanted to change the conversation, and, agreeing with him, began to outline the advantages and disadvantages of the Boulogne enterprise.
The footman came to summon Boris to the princess. The princess was leaving. Pierre promised to come for dinner in order to get closer to Boris, firmly shook his hand, looking affectionately into his eyes through his glasses... After he left, Pierre walked around the room for a long time, no longer piercing the invisible enemy with his sword, but smiling at the memory of this dear, smart and strong young man.
As happens in early youth and especially in a lonely situation, he felt an unreasonable tenderness for this young man and promised himself to make friends with him.
Prince Vasily saw off the princess. The princess held a handkerchief to her eyes, and her face was in tears.
- It's horrible! terrible! - she said, - but no matter what it costs me, I will do my duty. I'll come over for the night. He can't be left like that. Every minute is precious. I don’t understand why the princesses are delaying. Maybe God will help me find a way to prepare it!... Adieu, mon prince, que le bon Dieu vous soutienne... [Farewell, prince, may God support you.]
“Adieu, ma bonne, [Farewell, my dear,” answered Prince Vasily, turning away from her.
“Oh, he’s in a terrible situation,” the mother said to her son as they got back into the carriage. “He hardly recognizes anyone.”
“I don’t understand, mamma, what is his relationship with Pierre?” - asked the son.
“The will will say everything, my friend; Our fate depends on him...
- But why do you think that he will leave anything to us?
- Ah, my friend! He is so rich and we are so poor!
“Well, that’s not a good enough reason, mummy.”
- Oh my god! My God! How bad he is! - exclaimed the mother.

When Anna Mikhailovna left with her son to visit Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhy, Countess Rostova sat alone for a long time, putting a handkerchief to her eyes. Finally, she called.
“What are you talking about, dear,” she said angrily to the girl, who made herself wait for several minutes. – Don’t you want to serve, or what? So I'll find a place for you.
The countess was upset by the grief and humiliating poverty of her friend and therefore was out of sorts, which she always expressed by calling the maid “dear” and “you.”
“It’s your fault,” said the maid.
- Ask the Count to come to me.
The Count, waddled, approached his wife with a somewhat guilty look, as always.
- Well, countess! What a saute au madere [sauté in Madeira] will be from hazel grouse, ma chere! I tried; It’s not for nothing that I gave a thousand rubles for Taraska. Costs!
He sat down next to his wife, resting his arms bravely on his knees and ruffling his gray hair.
- What do you order, Countess?
- So, my friend, what is it that you have dirty here? - she said, pointing to the vest. “It’s sote, that’s right,” she added, smiling. - That's it, Count: I need money.
Her face became sad.
- Oh, Countess!...
And the count began to fuss, taking out his wallet.
“I need a lot, Count, I need five hundred rubles.”
And she, taking out a cambric handkerchief, rubbed her husband’s vest with it.
- Now. Hey, who's there? - he shouted in a voice that only people shout when they are sure that those they are calling will rush headlong to their call. - Send Mitenka to me!
Mitenka, that noble son raised by the count, who was now in charge of all his affairs, entered the room with quiet steps.
“That’s it, my dear,” said the count to the respectful young man who entered. “Bring me…” he thought. - Yes, 700 rubles, yes. But look, don’t bring anything torn and dirty like that time, but good ones for the countess.
“Yes, Mitenka, please, keep them clean,” said the countess, sighing sadly.
- Your Excellency, when will you order it to be delivered? - said Mitenka. “If you please know that... However, please don’t worry,” he added, noticing how the count had already begun to breathe heavily and quickly, which was always a sign of beginning anger. - I forgot... Will you order it to be delivered this minute?
- Yes, yes, then, bring it. Give it to the Countess.
“This Mitenka is such gold,” the count added, smiling, when the young man left. - No, it’s not possible. I can't stand this. Everything is possible.
- Oh, money, count, money, how much grief it causes in the world! - said the countess. - And I really need this money.
“You, countess, are a well-known reel,” said the count and, kissing his wife’s hand, he went back into the office.

The characters in “The Adventures of Cipollino” are anthropomorphic vegetables and fruits: the shoemaker Grape, the godfather Pumpkin, the girl Radish, the boy Cherry, etc. The main character is the onion boy Cipollino, who fights against the oppression of the poor by the rich - Signor Tomato, Prince Lemon. There are no human characters in the story, since the world of people is completely replaced by the world of fruits and vegetables.

Character		Description
Main characters
Cipollino		The onion boy and the main character of the fairy tale. Can bring tears to anyone who pulls his hair.
Cipollone		Father Cipollino. Arrested for the “attempt” on Prince Lemon, as he stepped on the latter’s callus.
Prince Lemon		The ruler of the country where the events took place.
Signor Tomato		Manager and housekeeper of countesses Vishen. Cipollino's main enemy and the main antagonist of the story.
Strawberry		A maid in the castle of Countesses Vishen. Girlfriend of Cherry and Cipollino.
Cherry		The young count (in the original - viscount), nephew of the countesses Vishen and friend of Cipollino.
Radish		A village girl, Cipollino's friend.
residents of a village that belonged to the Countesses of Cherries
Kum Pumpkin		Cipollino's friend. An old man who built himself a house so small that he could barely fit in it.
Master Grape		Shoemaker and friend of Cipollino.
Polka dots		Village lawyer and henchman of the gentleman Tomato.
Professor Grusha		Violinist and friend of Cipollino.
Leek		Gardener and friend of Cipollino. He had a mustache so long that his wife used it as a clothesline.
Kuma Pumpkin		A relative of godfather Pumpkin.
Beans		Rag picker. I was forced to roll Baron Orange's belly in my wheelbarrow.
Bean		The son of the rag picker Fasoli and friend of Cipollino.
Potato		Country girl.
Tomatik		Country boy.
inhabitants of the castle of countesses Vishen
Countesses Cherries the Elder and the Younger		Rich landowners who own the village where Cipollino's friends live.
Mastino		Countess Cherry's watchdog.
Baron Orange		Cousin of the late husband of Signora Countess the Elder. A terrible glutton.
Duke Mandarin		Cousin of the late husband of Signora Countess the Younger, blackmailer and extortionist.
Parsley		Count Cherry's home teacher.
Mr. Carrot		Foreign detective.
Hold-Grab		Mr. Carrot's sniffer dog.
doctors who treated Count Cherry
fly agaric
Bird cherry
Artichoke
Salato-Spinato
Chestnut		“He was called the poor man’s doctor because he prescribed very little medicine to his patients and paid for the medicine out of his own pocket.”
other characters
Lemons, Lemonishki, Lemonchiki		Accordingly, the retinue, generals and soldiers of Prince Lemon.
cucumbers		In the country of Cipollino they replaced horses.
Millipedes
Kum Blueberry		Cipollino's friend. He lived in the forest, where he guarded the house of his godfather Pumpkin.
General Longtail Mouse (later Tailless)		The commander-in-chief of the army of mice that lived in the prison.
Mole		Cipollino's friend. Helped the boy free prisoners.
Cat		He was arrested by mistake and ate too much mice in his cell.
Bear		Cipollino's friend, whom the boy helped free his parents from the zoo.
Elephant		Zookeeper and "old Indian philosopher." Helped Cipollino free the bears.
Zookeeper
Parrot		Zoo inhabitant. He repeated everything he heard in a distorted version.
Monkey		An inhabitant of the zoo, in whose cage Cipollino was forced to sit for two days.
Seal		Zoo inhabitant. An extremely harmful creature, because of which Cipollino ended up in a cage.
Woodcutter
Lamefoot		The Spider and the Prison Postman. He limps due to radiculitis, which developed as a result of being in damp conditions for a long time.
Seven and a half		A spider and relative of the Lamefoot spider. He lost half of his eighth leg in a collision with a brush.
Sparrow		Insect policeman.
Townspeople
Peasants
Forest thieves		They rang the bell of Chernika's godfather to make sure with their own eyes that there was nothing to steal from him, and yet they did not leave empty-handed.
Palace servants
Prison mice		Army of General Longtail.
Wolves		The fingers of godfather Pumpkin were attacked.
Zoo animals
Railway workers
Prisoners
Insects