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  • Mom! Do you really have to go away? Mom

  • Yes dear, but don’t cry, I will be back soon.

  • Once upon a time, a boy named Marco lived in a little port city in Italy.

  • His father was ill, and his mother had to work very hard to pay his medical bills and support the family.

  • They were still very poor and in a lot of debt.

  • Now, Marco’s mother had to go to Argentina to look for work there.

  • Don’t worry about me. I will bring back money to pay our debts. Take care of your father.

  • Mom!!

  • Look Dad! It’s a letter from Mom!

  • Oh, let’s see!

  • Here it is.

  • Marco, I am doing well.

  • I was able to find a good job through my cousin

  • …I am working for a rich family.

  • Marco, my baby, I think of you and miss you everyday

  • Everyday, Marco waited impatiently for a new letter.

  • But the letters stopped coming,

  • and Marco hadn’t heard from his mother in months.

  • Marco and his father were worried, so they went to talk to the people at the consulate.

  • They couldn’t find her anywhere. She had gone missing.

  • Dad, I have to go look for her.

  • You are too young, Marco, and Argentina is very far away.

  • Well you are ill, and Brother has to stay because of work.

  • It isn’t safe

  • Please let me go. I know I am the only one who can find her.

  • I know it! Please...

  • Marco managed to gain passage on a ship heading for Argentina

  • through the help of his father’s friend, a captain.

  • Bye Dad, bye Brother! I will come home soon with Mom!

  • OK. Take care, Marco.

  • The journey lasted for a month.

  • Marco had nothing to look at on the ship except the endless expanse of the ocean,

  • and the dolphins that leapt beside the ship from time to time.

  • One night

  • You are wasting your time Marco! Your mother is dead!! Ha ha ha!

  • No!!! That’s not true! She isn’t dead!

  • I will find her

  • ohit was only a nightmare

  • Every night, when everyone went to bed, Marco was tormented by frightening dreams.

  • He refused to believe in them and swore that he would find his mother, no matter what.

  • Mom... I miss you.

  • Land!! It’s Argentina!!

  • Argentina!!!

  • Finally, Marco was in Argentina. Soon, he would see his Mother.

  • Everything seemed strange and new,

  • but Marco was not afraid, because he knew his mother was here somewhere.

  • Wait! Stop! That’s my money! Please! I need that money to find my mom!

  • Now Marco was alone in an unfamiliar country with no money and no friends,

  • but he refused to give up.

  • He was on a mission.

  • Maybe I should ask for directions

  • Finally, just before sunset, Marco reached the house of his mom’s employer.

  • He had nothing to eat all day since he had lost his money, but that didn’t matter now.

  • All he wanted was to see his mother.

  • Is anybody in? Mother, it’s me, Marco!

  • Who are you?

  • I’m Marco. I have come to find my mother.

  • I am sorry, but we only moved in a few months ago.

  • Your mother must have left with the previous owners.

  • Thenthenshe isn’t here?

  • I’m afraid not….Wellmaybe I can write a letter for you.

  • Someone there might know where she is now.

  • The gentleman gave him a letter and a loaf of bread for the journey, and Marco continued his search.

  • He walked for miles. The sun was scorching hot and his feet hurt but he couldn’t stop.

  • There was nothing he wanted more than to see his mother again.

  • He arrived at the address written on the letter, and a butler opened the door.

  • Your mother’s employers have gone very far from here.

  • You will need to take a train for three days and then walk for 10.

  • Of course it will be less if you take a coach, two days maybe

  • Now off with you!

  • Marco understood that he wouldn’t find his mom there either.

  • Disappointed and alone again, Marco stopped in the square to cry.

  • Ohwhat do I do now

  • I have no money for the train, or to get something to eat

  • Mom!

  • Suddenly, a nice gentleman Marco had gotten to know on the ship, saw him sitting there.

  • OhMarco! Marco, is that you?

  • Huh? Yes, it is.

  • But haven’t you found your mother yet?

  • No.

  • Hmm....

  • The old gentleman’s generosity meant Marco could take the train now.

  • Thank you so much!

  • As the train sped on, Marco watched the scenery rushing past,

  • and imagined his long-awaited meeting with his mother.

  • After leaving the train, Marco got lost on his way to the village.

  • Night fell, and he had to sleep in the forest surrounded by the howls of hungry wolves.

  • Mom...

  • Marco’s shoes were worn out from walking, there were blisters on his feet,

  • and legs were as heavy as lead, but he pushed on.

  • He couldn’t stop until he had found his mother.

  • He was very tired and his steps grew slower.

  • Mom....

  • ..until he collapsed on the road.

  • A passing peasant chanced to see him there.

  • He felt sorry for Marco and gave him a drink of water.

  • Poor child

  • Marco told him where he was going, and the man promised to take him there in his wagon.

  • One more dayand we will be together at last!

  • Marco couldn’t sleep that night.

  • He gazed at the pale full moon and thought of his mother.

  • Mom... Please be alive. You have to be alive...

  • Meanwhile, Marco’s mother had fallen very ill, and couldn’t get out of bed.

  • She is fading, I’m afraid.

  • What can we do?

  • She has been away from her family for too long. She is homesick.

  • Will I get better, Doctor? Please tell me.

  • Listen Josephine, you must be strong! Keep fighting! Don't give up.

  • I just wish…I could see my little Marco one last time

  • Don’t say that, Josephine! Don’t give upyoull be alright!

  • Exhausted and worn out by his long journey,

  • Marco still ran though the forest, knowing his mother was near.

  • As he left the forest, a large mansion appeared before him.

  • That’s where my mom is...That's where she is...

  • Please, please, let my Mom be there! Let her be okay!

  • Marco prayed and hoped with all his heart. Then the door opened

  • What?

  • When Marco followed her in and saw his mother lying in bed, he burst into tears.

  • Mom!!!! Mom!!!

  • ...Marco....?

  • Mom!

  • Marco! I can't believe is you.

  • But how on earth did you get here? Are you here all by yourself!?

  • I did…I missed you so much! Mom!

  • My darling...

  • ...your face!

  • I’m okayeverything is okay now!

  • Please don’t ever leave me againLet’s stay together, always! Mom.....

  • I promise, Marco.

  • Strengthened by the love of her son, Marco’s mother recovered quickly.

  • They returned home together, and lived happily ever after.

Mom! Do you really have to go away? Mom

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