LEV presents children's book on the goldfish
in the papal pond at Castel Gandolfo
VATICAN CITY, December 11 (Translated from TM News) - On Tuesday afternoon, the Vatican publish in house LEV presented a children's book told and illustrated by papal portrait artist Natalia Tsarkova at the Augustinianum not far from St. Peter's Basilica.
The book,
Il mistero di un piccolo stagno' (The mystery of a little pond) [which was actually published last October] tells the story of the goldfish in the pond found in the Garden of the Modonnina in Castel Gandolfo - and how they have learned to await the daily visit from 'the man in white' who comes to feed them after he prays before the Madonna statue that gives its name to the garden.
Besides the author-illustrator and Mons. Georg Gaenswein who wrote the Preface to the book, the presentors included Antonio Paolucci, director of the Vatican Museums; Saverio Petrillo, manager of the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo; and don Giuseppe Costa, director of LEV.
Also present were Mons. Giuseppe Sciacca, secretary of the Vatican Governatorate; Cardinal Raffaele Farina, emeritus Archivist-Librarian of the Holy Roman Church; Angelo Gugel, former valet to both John Paul II and Benedict XVI; and Mons. Paolo de Nicolò, former regent of the Pontifical Household.
Last October, I posted my translation of Mons. Gaenswein's Preface to Tsarkova's book:
The mystery of a little pond
A tale created and illustrated
by Natalia Tsarkova, painter
Foreword by Mons. Georg Gaenswein
Translated from the 10/10/12 issue of
It is not a secret that Benedict XVI loves the Vatican Gardens, but he especially loves the Gardens of the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo.
Whenever he is in residence at the 'Castello' during the summer months, he takes a walk through the gardens every day, praying the Rosary amidst the beauty of creation: the trees, the plants, the flowers, the birds, the farm animals, the great orchard, the olives, the centuries-old oaks, the majestic cedars and so many other beauties of nature are an invitation to enjoy and meditate on creation.
They are like a symphony of extraordinary forms and colors, of amazing sounds which do good for the heart and soul. All nature, all creation, is a tangible testimonial to the greatness and beauty of the Creator, who made it all for us.
Among the places most loved by the Holy Father at the Castello is the Giardino della Madonnina, which was made for his predecessor Pius XI in 1933, and since him, four more Pontiffs before Benedict XVI would find it a pleasant place to pray - Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II.
Before the image of the Virgin Mary in the garden named for her, there is a little pond with red fish and two large carp. Every time the Pope finishes his prayers before the Madonnina, the fish seem to gather at the edge of the pond, awaiting a generous treat from the Holy Father.
In fact, an anonymous and generous hand daily prepares a small bag with bread crumbs for the Pope to feed the fish. There is great 'joy' and lively activity in the pond when the 'largesse' comes.
This is the routine that gave birth to the story told by the author of this engaging little book,
The mystery of the little pond
, which is the story of two goldfish.
Natalia Tsarkova composed a dialog between Father Goldfish and his son, and has enhanced her story with marvelous illustrations and designs. And in the end, she could not do without a cat...
Behind the story is, of course, the Pope's love of creation, of animals, especially the small ones. Thus, to look at all creatures, including the small ones - who often escape an inattentive look - with the eyes of love, is the message of this engaging book.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 12/12/2012 16:20]