Author's note: Welcome back, mes bon peuple (my good people)! This chapter tells how Gavroche took to the streets and chose a name for himself. It takes place right after they Thenardiers arrive in Paris.
The sentence that starts it off isn't mine; that's why it's in quotes. It comes from Hugo's description of Gavroche in the novel.
Just a heads-up, this story is now listed under Books, not Play/Musicals. I realized it's really based more on the novel.
"The pavement was not so hard to him as the heart of his mother."
"You! Runt!"
The boy answered without looking at him. "Yes, Père?"
Thenardier walked up to his son and pulled him to his feet. "You look at me when I'm talking to you! We can't afford three children. You have to leave."
The boy was confused. "Leave? What do you mean?"
"Idiot boy! You can't live here anymore. You are not welcome."
The six-year-old stared at his father for half a minute. Emotions swarmed over his face. Shock, hurt, and anger. For a split second, his face crumpled as if he was about to cry. Then he stood up straight and gave his father a hard look. "All right, I will!" He started toward the door.
"Petit frère! Wait!" Eponine cried. "Papa, you can't do this!"
The child turned and smiled at her and Azelma. "Au revoir, mes soeurs." Then he went out the door, down the steps, and out of the Gorbeau building.
Once on the street, his courage failed him. He stood bewildered, staring at the building. He was not thinking, not feeling, just staring.
Suddenly he gave himself a good shake and forced himself to laugh. "Well!" he said. "Here I am. I can't go back, so I must go on."
He walked away from the building, singing:
"Frère Jaques, frère Jaques,
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong."
Inside the building, the portess, having heard everything, wondered how a child who had been turned out of the house at such a young age could be so lighthearted. The truth was that although he was very frightened and wondered what he would do now, he was glad to be free from his father and mother.
As he was walking along and singing, something occurred to him: He should have a name. As far as he could remember, he had never been called anything but Boy, Runt, Brat, and petit frère. None of those were true names. He would have to come up with one.
That night he slept in an alley, on the wet pavement, with no protection from the cold night air or the rain that fell, but he liked that better than his home.
He thought for a long time about what to call himself. Toward morning, he came up with, in his opinion, a good, strong name.
The next day, he was asked his name by a baker who, having sympathy for the homeless boy, had given him some bread.
For the first time in his life, the brave child did not have to lower his eyes in shame and admit, "I haven't any." For the first time in his life, he could answer proudly, "My name's Gavroche!"
Glossary of French words
Père - Father
Au revoir, mes soeurs - Goodbye, my sisters.
Note about the song: I'm sure almost everyone is familiar with Frère Jaques. For those who aren't, it's an old French folk song for children—sort of a lullaby. It's traditionally translated as:
"Are you sleeping, are you sleeping,
Brother John? Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong."
According to Wikipedia, however, a more accurate translation would be:
"Brother Jacob, brother Jacob,
Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Ring the Matins bells! Ring the Matins bells!
Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong."
I know it doesn't sound like something that Gavroche would sing, but when he was six I think he might.
Please review! Ideas are welcome.