A Little Frog’s Heart: The Stellar Waltz of Life

Let us take the third step…

Let us take the third step…

Here we are, reaching the third volume of the wonderful series of tales that proceed from each other, like in a modern version of the story cycle of Arabian Nights. So, let us steep ourselves again in reading, and let us take a third step. The difference is that we do not have only one Scheherazade in the Little Frog’s Heart story cycle, but a few of them. The narrator, in whom I like to see an alter ego of the author, is telling a story; the Flea and his new friend, the Silk Worm, are also telling a story. The Flea more so, as his life experience is longer and richer; the Worm less, as he is still very young. Mother Drop also tells a story, but not that much in this volume, because she is withdrawn in a restorative sleep or in deep meditation. The Flea’s stories are ingenious and charming, and the Silk Worm’s inquisitiveness is full of surprise: you almost see in him a human little one who does not stop asking questions: “what?”, “how?” and, especially, the celebrated “why?” which children all around the world would have asked many a time. In order to carry on the spark of life, they need to find out about it and about the world around.

And let me not forget – as usual, the stories of the Flea’s Grandfather’s wisdom are extraordinary, whether they happen deep underground where the Evil One has a say, or – in the heights of Heaven, close to the Lord of the Universe. From amongst the brilliantly witty stories that are exchanged by the Flea and Silk Worm, the two episodes of almost mythological nature, somehow coming to us via popular Christianity, but beautifully drawn and with their own brand of originality, stand out like royal mint, even if they are, up to a certain extent, broken down into several episodes along the entire volume.

At the end of this short introductory text, I can only wish you a good read and good focus as the story becomes richer and more complex than you have known it in the previous volumes. My thoughts go also to the author, wishing him good health and bountiful imagination, both of which are conducive to the continuation of his successful story-telling that we, the readers have become familiar with over the last couple of volumes. These are out wishes to him, as the well-deserving and gifted writer of the series. As for us, the readers, good health and a light heart are all we need to keep welcoming and read on the ever fascinating tales that are still to come.

16 March 2011, in Iaşi

Liviu Antonesei

I am so glad to see you again, dear children,

>Our series continues! The 3rd volume in the “Little Frog’s Heart” series, meaningfully entitled “The Stellar Waltz of Life”, presents to you a new series of interesting adventures of the characters you already love.

Following up on an already familiar pattern, I shall continue, in the foreword to this book, to recount the circumstances which led to the coming into the world of this story.

I wish a pleasant read to those who are now joining us.