Ida and Mirabella by Shannon Yang (chapter books to read to 5 year olds TXT) 📖

much of my money that I need it back: a million florins, if you please. My brother-in-law has these booming weapons from China that will outdo any of that merchant Arnaldo’s goods. If you don’t comply with me, you will be attacked. Attached is a painting of you I have that is called “Mimi de’ Medici Spending Quality Time with Boy Leandro” and thank you for listening to me.

Without love,

After that it looked as though the signature had been cut off. Ida knew that Arnaldo himself was the brother-in-law who had gunpowder. She sent it to Mirabella’s house with the painting attached. Ida started hiding again. Mirabella read it out loud to herself with a very dramatic tone of voice.

“Who could have done this to me?” she whispered. “It cannot be Arnaldo’s family, because of the weaponry part, and no love... I wasted this person’s money, and he, or she, for that matter, thinks I am with a boy named Leandro, and the message is that he hates me! Ah! This must be my husband. This is why he was not here when I work up today. Forgive me, but I cannot to you. I’m sorry for whatever you think I did.”

She went inside, weeping, and wrote a note back.

My dear husband,
Goodbye. The little time we’ve spent together was just a ephemeral passing period. I don’t want to turn our beautiful time into something ugly. I think now that our lives will become more wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to read my last message to you.
~Mirabella

Next she took all her belongings she could carry, everything but the baby and a million florins, and ran away, probably to the palace.

Ida rapidly swooped over to get Lena and the million florins, and she played with her in the bush until Mirabella’s husband came home. He was very confused and raging, but didn’t care that Mirabella had left since there was nothing special about her. He shrugged and went in the house, a bit poorer than earlier that day.

On her way home, Ida met up with someone spreading news. “Young lady, have you heard? The precious Mimi de’ Medici has disappeared today. She was last seen going towards the Arno with a lot of what looked like stolen goods and has never been heard from since. I never knew that a Medici could be so bad. Spread the word, lass, and make sure you watch out!”

At home, she gave Franco, Leandro, and Lena a good share of the florins because they totally deserved it for helping. The plan with Mirabella was so perfectly timed that their three-month visit came to a close three days later. Ida and Flavia bid them farewell. And soon, Arnaldo also came back. Another visit brought more money in addition to those from Mirabella.

Then the money was in their house as if they had never bought the small green dresses or bottles and bottles of wine. Now when Ida looked out the window, she wasn’t jealous of Mirabella anymore (who wasn’t even there). Ida lived a nice, carefree, wine-free, Mirabella-free life and everyone lived happily ever after - except Mirabella.

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Publication Date: 08-08-2012

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