The Offering

The tiny idyllic Italian village of Femini was really a rather unusual place indeed, in fact, you could say that it was utterly unique. Lying somewhere between Milan and Palermo, this quaint little community was comprised entirely of women, ok wait...scratch that...there was also 'the Padre'. The mysterious 'Padre' ran things as they say, the head honcho, the big cannoli...providing for and protecting the village's women as long as they obeyed him and observed his number one rule...no men! Alright, alright, so I haven't been strictly honest with you...there was another who wasn't a woman and also wasn't the Padre. There was Donatello...

Donatello was a secret, a boy kept hidden and brought up out of sight by his mother until the day he would be old enough to leave the village to fend for himself in the outside world, just as his older brother had done before him. Til then he would spend his entire existance hiding in the nooks and crannies of his mama's cottage. Or so he thought...

'Doni drear... his mother began nervously, ...tomorrow the Padre is coming to visit our humble home. This house has faithfully hidden you all these years, just as it did your brother, but it is much too small for you to be concealed when there are visitors here.' She looked on as a mask of fear formed on her son's face. 'Don't worry Dont, she soothed, holding a shimmering gold dress before her, 'you can hide in plain sight...you really are such a beautiful boy...'

And so the terrified Donatello underwent the swift makeover to become his mother's daughter. Much waxing and plucking and brushing and painting later, and his angelic youthful boyishness was transformed into the stunning features of a young Italian woman.

'Do go get that basket of fruit,' his mother shooed as he fidgeted with his hair, which had been pulled tighly into a bunn, '...it's our gift to the Padre. We must always greet the Padre's visit with an offering. Always!' she emphasised as he stumbled on his heels, struggling to move smoothly in the figure hugging dress and was just able to reach the fruitbasket as the majestic Padre entered their humble home. Donatello tried to take a demure position, shyly facing away from the huge man towards the fruit as his mama scurried into the room, curtsying frantically..

'Maria, Maria, Maria, the Padre bellowed as he approached where Doni was sitting with the fruit, 'you've outdone yourself once again, quite simply a sublime offering to me. I will see to it you are rewarded greatly. He took a peach and bit into it, using his other hand to stroke the side of Donatello's madeup face. '...and this fruit...'