Crossing the bridge that led the way to the city of Paris,Paulette was far from home without a worry and so happy that she soon forgot all about Madame Ferregal. When she reached the town square,she could hear the laughter of children nearby. They were watching a puppet show that was being preformed in a little theater in a gypsy wagon. Filled with joy and excitement,Paulette went over to the wagon to watch the show with the children,joining them in there laughter and cheers.
When the show was over,all of the children applauded for the great performance and out of the wagon came the puppeteer. Paulette's eyes widened and shimmered with amazement. The puppeteer was a handsome young gypsy man,no more than 25 years old. His body was slim and wiry. He wore a flamboyant costume with tights that were half purple,half yellow with purple stripes. He had little bells on the tips of his shoes and around his yellow poncho and a feather stuck in his big,purple hat. Around his eyes and nose was a magenta mask. He had shoulder length black hair and a goatee on his chin.
Suddenly,the young puppeteer noticed Paulette and gave here a bright and welcoming smile. His teeth shone like pearls and his eyes twinkled like stars,giving Paulette a warm,happy feeling. Though people wouldn't seem to describe him as conventionally handsome,Paulette felt that he was the most gorgeous young man she'd ever seen in her life.
"Bonjour,madamoiselle!" The gypsy said with a bow. Even to a scullery maid,he would show hospitality. Surprisingly,he recognized the girl. "Hey,I remember you."
Paulette looked at him astonished.
"Don't you and your father come to the festival every year?" he asked.
"We used to." Paulette began sadly. "But,my father died about a month ago and I've been living with my horrible stepmother,Madame Ferregal. She's been making me work for her day in and day out and she's very mean to me. That explains why I'm dressed in rags."
Her stomach started to growl.
"Not to mention,she dosn't feed me anything but bread crusts and water only once a day. Now,I'm really hungry!"
The young gypsy shook his head in pity. "Awww! Tsk,tsk,tsk. That's terrible." Then he took Paulette by the hand. "Come along. You've earned a better meal." And he took her inside his wagon.
He pulled the curtains to his window and door in case anyone ever came around to look for Paulette.
"I like it here!" said Paulette,making herself comfortable in the wagon.
"I know it's not much." Said the gypsy man,pulling out a bag from under his bed. "But,I like it,too! It's better than nothing."
"What's in that bag?" Paulette asked curiously.
"Just some cookies I got from the bakery this morning." He replied. "Chocolate chip and the best in all of Paris." He pulled out a cookie and took a big bite. "Mmmmm!" He said with a giggle,chewing the bite from his cookie and savoring the wonderful taste.
Paulette's mouth was watering.
Then,after swallowing,the young man held the open bag up to Paulette. "Would you like one?" He asked cheerily.
"Oh,yes,please!" Paulette replied with a smile.
"Help yourself!" The gypsy told her as she reached into the bag to get a cookie.
Paulette savored every bite of the cookie,wishing she could have food like this more often.
"So,what is your name?" the gypsy asked.
Paulette swallowed a bite of her cookie and replied,"Paulette. Paulette Courd'gai."
"What a lovely name!" The puppeteer said with a smile,admiring how beautiful she was even though she was in rags.
"Thank you!" Paulette said cheerfully. "And you are?"
"Clopin Trouillefou," Replied the man. "King of the gypsies and master of ceremonies!"
He seemed to express such confidence and enthusiasm when introducing himself. Paulette admired,not only that,but,the person in general.
"Clopin." She mused. The name sounded lovely to her. She loved how it rolled off her tongue and she would remember it for it was the name of the gypsy puppeteer who treated her with such kindness.