This is the story of a young boy in a Turin
school in Italy told my Edmondo in the form of a diary. The author tries to illustrate the significance of consideration for others who belong to a different race, color or culture. It is true that children are 'sane' and have no '
discrimination'. They play happily together oblivious of any differences. It is only the elders that sow the seeds of discrimination and prejudice in young
minds. This book is a collection of true stories telling us the story of Nelli, a hunch backed boy, who becomes a
friend of an older boy named Garrone. While Nelli is thin and, not so strong, he also has breathing difficulties. He is teased in school on the first day because of his hunchback and gets
beaten with schools bags. Nelli never retaliates nor does he tell his mother about it. He keeps it to himself because he does not want his mother to feel
hurt. While one of the ragging incidents when Nelli is being beaten and he tries to protect himself by taking hold of a pole with his long, thin hands, he is laughed at by his peers. It is at this time that his friend Garro0ne crosses his big arm on his chest and shoots such an expressive glance around and makes it clear that he is ready to stand up for Nelli.It brings home to the minds of readers that 'racisim' is present only among children whose self-
awareness and awareness of others has been distorted by adults around them. Racial bigotry and intolerance still exists, but is masked. We may be trying to just grasp the depth of the hurt and pain that it causes to people who are different.
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