STORIES WITH WINGS

It's a collection of stories aimed to let children fly on imagination's wings over cultural boundaries. Children will be so travelling among tales, myths or legends, finding out new ways of learing and living distant cultures' habits.

 

The invention of Kuta

 

<<It's about a trip to discover the writing course, since its firts signs to the invention of printed letters. Eight amazing short stories by Roberto Piumini introduce the eight "historical chapters" you can find inside the book. It's really smart way to take the reader to discover one of the most remarkable historical invention: the writing. The writing history is here testified by a lot of illustrations and pictures of important findings, you can look at inside this book. The subjects are dealt not only with the narrative style, but also with an historical scientific section inviting the reader to go into each issue thoroughly.>>

<<Many many years ago, as many years ago as the hairs on your head and mine, before writing had been invented, Ramulasse the third, Pharaoh of Egypt, heard about a wise man who had invented symbols that were able to preserve thoughts. Intrigued, he sent for him. “They say that you know how to make symbols that can preserve thoughts,” said Pharaoh. “Is this true?”
“Yes, Pharaoh,” replied the wise man, whose name was Kuta. “But it all depends on the thought.” “I don't understand, explain yourself,” said Ramulasse. “Instead of explaining, O Pharaoh, I can show you. Which thought would you like to keep?” “This one: Ramulasse is as powerful as the Sun.”
Without a word Kuta took an ember from a brazier and made some signs in the air, which disappeared immediately. “As you see, Pharaoh, this thought cannot be preserved,” said Kuta. “Well, save this one: Ramulasse is as great as the sea.”>>

<<Kuta started walking, followed by the Pharaoh on his golden litter which was carried by eight slaves and with three hundred courtiers behind it. They arrived at the sea, and Kuta knelt down on the shore. He drew symbols in the sand with one finger, which were immediately washed away by a wave.
“Neither this thought can be saved, O Pharaoh,” he said. “Then save this one: Ramulasse is Master of the world,” said the Pharaoh.>>

<<Kuta started walking again, with the Pharaoh and his three hundred courtiers behind him, who were puffing and sweating in the heat. Once in the desert, Kuta knelt down and drew some signs in the sand which remained for a few moments, then were erased by the wind. “As you see Pharaoh, not even this thought can be saved” said Kuta. Then the angry Pharaoh said: “Are you laughing at me, Kuta? I can have your head cut off.” “That is certainly in your power, O Pharaoh,” replied the wise man. “But if you do that, you will not know how thoughts can be saved.” The Pharaoh was quiet for a moment, then said: “You have one last chance. Show me how to save this thought: “Ramulasse wishes to save his thoughts.” Kuta started walking again, with the Pharaoh behind him, together with his three hundred courtiers, who puffed and sweated even more. They reached the banks of the Nile, where there was a collection of papyrus plants. Kuta tore off about a hundred pieces of bark, which he cut into long thin strips, and then laid them on a stone next to each other.>>

<<Then he put others across them, all the while soaking the papyrus continuously with river water. When the layers were ready, he took a flat stone and delicately flattened them, then he sat and waited while the sun dried the sheet. Pharaoh and his courtiers waited in silence with him. When the sheet was dry, Kuta took out a small stick and a sealed flask. He unsealed it, dipped the stick into it, and kneeling down, he sketched some marks on the sheet. Astonished, Pharaoh watched the delicate shapes that quickly dried in the sun. “There, Pharaoh,” said Kuta. “Your thought is saved.” Ramulasse got down from his litter and approached the papyrus. He bent down, and with his fingers he traced the outline of the long dark sign. “Wise Kuta, teach me how to do this,” he said. “It will take time, Pharaoh,” the wise man replied. “My friend, you and I have as much time as we want” smiled Pharaoh.>>

A GREAT AUTHOR TELLS A GREAT INVENTION: WRITING



Narrative text: Roberto Piumini 
Scientific text: Adriana Paolini
Illustratios: Monica Zani

   
Illustrated volumes bound with paper board cover • 80 pages • In 17 x 29 • Age: from 8 years upwards.


Series: Stories with wings
Other titles in the series: 

• Long-legs tales - A collection of fairy tales coming from distant countries 
• A world of mythical adventures  - A collection of illustrated myths and legends
• A world of fabolous tales - An illustrated collectios of classic fairy tales
• Up there at the castle there was - Legend from a land of border
• What a Revolution! - From Gutemberg to e-books
• A world of other stories - Illustrated tales from far away-countries
• Filippo and the others - Good-night stories
• A dive into the heart - Memories from life on a farm 

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