| THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS by Sonja "Ad�le, Ad�le!" A cheerful, four-year-old girl was running along the street near the Palace of Justice. Her mother Charlotte hastened out of their home, but she found it better not to rush behind the girl, because Ad�le was always extremely curious about new things. Soon Charlotte understood that Ad�le was interested in three young Gypsy women who were wearing colorful clothes. One of them was holding a baby in her arms. Little Ad�le ran to the women and began to finger at their beautiful jewelery. Fortunately, Rosita, Alida and Melina were very fond of children, and Ad�le was allowed to see the baby. "Little one", she babbled, "is it a girl or a boy?" Before Melina had time to answer, a carriage was approached them on its way to the Palace of Justice. "Oh, no, that's Frollo! Now we will be involved in trouble!" exclaimed Alida. Fortunately, Charlotte arrived at the very moment and took her daughter in her arms. She greeted the Gypsies in a friendly way, but Rosita and Melina with her baby rushed away, extremely frightened. Alida, instead, answered the greeting and introduced herself. Charlotte smiled. "This is my daughter Ad�le. She likes your clothes and jewelery, and I don't have anything against your people," she told. Alida was delighted, for in those days it was rare that people belonging to the majority fully accepted the Gypsies. "Mummy, who is Frollo? Why are they so afraid of him?" Ad�le was very curious indeed. When hearing the name, Alida was startled and said quickly: "I hope we will meet some other time, but now I must go!" And she ran away as fast as she could, for Frollo's carriage was just driving by them. Charlotte explained: "Frollo is the Minister of Justice, and he hates all the Gypsies." "Why? They are so nice," wondered Ad�le. Charlotte squeezed her. "Yes, they are, but their way of life is different from ours." Then they returned home, and Charlotte forbade her daughter to run out alone anymore, because she didn't want her to meet Frollo. Ad�le's father, who had died half a year ago, had been a craftsman. Now Charlotte was taking care of his workshop. Because it was usual for Gypsy women to support themselves by needlework, it was easy for them to befriend Charlotte and start visiting her. Rosita and Alida told her about their way of life and also about their problems. Since Claude Frollo had become Minister of Justice and the commander of the guards, he had pitilessly persecuted the Gypsies, and all his soldiers were wicked louts who blindly obeyed his orders. Many of Rosita and Alida's relatives and friends had been imprisoned and whipped only because the soldiers had seen them in the streets. A few times, the guards had even taken the money the Gypsies had earned by selling their needlework, by singing or by dancing. To crown the lot, according to the Gypsy women's experience, Frollo was fanatically religious and thought that everything he did was right, even when people suffered from his action - and he also despised all women. One day, when Charlotte and Ad�le were just leaving Notre Dame Cathedral after the Mass, they saw Frollo walk down the north tower steps. Charlotte motioned her daughter to keep quiet and observed the Judge interestedly. Never had she felt such antipathy for anyone, but she had to admit that the man had an interesting face. "What on earth does he do in the bell tower?" she thought. A few days later she heard some people talk about the Minister and something that he kept hidden in the tower. "It must be a living being, because he always takes a basket of food with him up there," noted an aged woman. "Really? Could it be human?" Charlotte exclaimed. "Ordinary humans are not usually kept away from people's sight," she heard an unpleasant voice of a man answer her. "So, if that thing is human, it must be some kind of a deviant." "How long has the Minister had that secret?" Charlotte asked. "About four years," answered the woman, "it's said that it is somehow connected with the Gypsies." Charlotte got extremely curious. "I MUST find out what he is hiding there, particularly if that has something to do with my friends!" she thought. Unfortunately, however, she didn't meet the Gypsies for many days. So, one morning, after the Mass, she returned to Notre Dame and, when seeing Frollo coming down the stairs she encouraged herself and approached him. "Minister Frollo, I have heard that you have something up in the bell tower. Could you please tell me something about it?" She was reasonable enough not to say more because she remembered well how deeply Frollo hated the Gypsies. Actually, she was quite amazed at her own courage. Frollo was also exceedingly surprised. Usually he avoided talking to women if he could, because it was true that he despised them. Now, unexpectedly, he was addressed by a young woman he didn't know at all. The woman was beautiful, too, and for that reason Frollo felt particular antipathy for her. He was also enormously annoyed that Charlotte was curious about the creature he kept in the bell tower; he was so ashamed of having been told to provide for it that he had decided not to let anyone have anything to do with it. That was why he said determinedly: "I am warning you, madam. No one is to go to the tower, and you will get to serious trouble if you interfere in something that's not your business." However, Charlotte had made her decision: she would do her best to find out the secret. Namely, Frollo's behavior convinced her that everything was not all right. About a week later she met the archdeacon of the Cathedral and revealed to him that she was willing to climb to the north tower. The priest hesitated. He was the only person who exactly knew the secret, and he seriously warned Charlotte that Frollo would be furious if someone found it out. But Charlotte said determinedly: "I have been told that it has something to do with my friends, the Gypsies. They have been so friendly to me that I would like to do something for their good." "My friend, I'm afraid that I can't help you although I would like to do that," replied the archdeacon. "The door of the tower is locked, and Frollo has strictly forbidden me to let anyone go there." However, Charlotte didn't give in, and finally the archdeacon agreed to give her the key. The young woman started to climb up the tower steps; she was exceedingly excited. As she opened the heavy door she first saw a wooden table with a basket on it. Then she noticed a small boy, about at Ad�le's age, who was hiding under the table, obviously frightened. She was startled when seeing a big hump on the boy's back. "That's why the man talked about a deviant!" she thought. But when she looked at the child's face she felt that she had never seen anything so endearing, although the boy had a protrusion above his left eye. His hair was red, and he was wearing very simple clothes. Charlotte was shocked: how COULD someone keep the poor little boy alone in a stony churchtower, hump-backed as he was? The expression of the boy's face touched her deeply as well; it looked like he was afraid of strict words or striking all the time. This was the first time in little Quasimodo's life when he met an adult other than Frollo. With surprise he looked at the tall, black-haired woman who smiled warmly. It was understandable that Quasimodo was frightened, for his guardian had made him believe that he was so deformed that no one would even bear to look at him. So, now that he saw the woman's smile he didn't know what to think. "Hello, little one! What's your name?" Charlotte greeted him. "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." "I...mustn't be seen by anyone", the boy said in a quiet and hesitant voice. "My name...is...Quasimodo." Charlotte quivered. Half-formed! "Who has given you such a horrible name?" she asked, unable to hide her agitation. "Frollo, my master", answered Quasimodo. "He says I am ugly." "That's not true", assured Charlotte determinedly, "and that's not a thing to be said to anyone! Where are your mother and father?" "My mother abandoned me when I was a baby," answered Quasimodo, "she was a Gypsy." Charlotte knew that some parents really did abandon their children, for example if they were deformed. That was why she couldn't say anything for a while. But she was horrified by the thought that the unbearable Frollo was the only human little Quasimodo ever met. There had to be some solution...And suddenly she happened to think of Ad�le. She wouldn't be afraid of Quasimodo or call him names. "Little one," she said, carefully approaching the boy who already had dared come forth, "I have a daughter of your age, Ad�le, and I can take her here to see you, for you can't be alone forever!" Quasimodo was startled. "Frollo would be furious if someone saw me. I'm so ugly!" "Believe me, Quasimodo, you are not ugly," assured Charlotte, "and don't worry, I'll take care that Frollo won't know anything." "But he doesn't let me hide anything from him," said the boy. "Do you always tell him everything?" Charlotte was stupefied. "Yes...almost everything," admitted Quasimodo in embarrassment. "Please, promise me you'll keep my visit secret," asked Charlotte, smoothing down his hair. "Next time I'll bring Ad�le here. Good-bye, little Quasimodo." "You have been so kind to me," whispered Quasimodo, "good-bye, madame." As she stepped out of the Cathedral, Charlotte noticed a handsome young Gypsy man who was looking at her interestedly. Actually, she was not very willing to meet Gypsies after just having met Quasimodo, but because she didn't know the young man at all, she stopped to look at him for a moment. To her surprise, the man started to walk toward her. "Hello," he said when he was near enough. "My name is Clopin. I have heard that you are Alida and Rosita's friend." Charlotte had never heard a name like that, and if it had been another situation it would have made her smile. Now, however, she was shocked because of what she had just seen and heard. That was why she answered a bit inconsiderately: "Yes, they are friends of mine, but now I don't have time to talk." Fortunately, she added: "It was nice to meet you - hopefully we'll meet again soon." The next morning, she said to her daughter: "Ad�le, I have found a new friend for you. He lives in the tower of Notre Dame. You must always be very kind to him because he doesn't have a mother or a father, and he is hump-backed." "What is hump-backed?" Ad�le asked, for she had never seen a person like that. "That means he has a certain kind of injury on his back," explained Charlotte, "and that's why Frollo calls him Quasimodo - 'deformed'." "Frollo is wicked," Ad�le remarked unhesitantly. "When may I meet Quasi...What was that?" "Quasimodo. We will go there today if we can." Little Quasimodo had been amazed at Charlotte's kindness, and he was thinking about her all the time. He had hardly any things to play with, and that was why he often talked to the gargoyles. He repeated to them what the friendly woman had said to him, and he hoped that she would soon come back. But when Frollo visited him in the evening and in the morning, he dared tell him nothing, for his master slighted everything he said or did, and he certainly wouldn't have accepted what Charlotte had said about Quasimodo's appearance. In the early afternoon when Quasimodo was just sitting on the balcony, talking to one of his gargoyle friends in a quiet voice, the tower door was opened, and the little boy heard Charlotte's gentle voice call him by name. He was startled, for he had learned to hide his talking to the gargoyles. But when Charlotte asked again: "Quasimodo, are you there?" he carefully came down from the balcony and started to walk slowly towards the two guests. Charlotte observed the children a bit restlessly; maybe Ad�le would be too enthusiastic. So, the mother was abated when she smiled kindly at the boy and said: "Hello, Quasimodo!" Charlotte smiled, too. "This is my daughter Ad�le," she introduced. "Ad�le, this is Quasimodo." Ad�le watched the boy interestedly. She knew at once that she liked him, but of course, she was a bit surprised at the protrusion above his eye. Before Charlotte could prevent her, she approached Quasimodo, touched the protrusion and asked innocently: "Why do you have that?" Little Quasimodo lowered his head, ashamed. Charlotte, in turn, said strictly: "Ad�le, you must NEVER say anything about how someone looks! Didn't I tell you Quasimodo is a bit different from you?" "I like him," answered Ad�le, "he is so cute." Then she asked: "Quasi, do you have anything to play with?" It must be easy to imagine how amazed Quasimodo was at his new experiences. He had met another child for the very first time in his life, he had heard that someone liked him - needless to say, he had never felt that Frollo would like him although he always said he was his friend. And, to crown the lot, the girl had said that he was cute - he, Quasimodo, who had been taught to find himself a monstrosity! "Frollo says I am deformed," he said quietly. "He is terribly wicked!" exclaimed Ad�le, and Charlotte said determinedly: "You must forget what Frollo says." "But where are your playthings, Quasi?" Ad�le asked again. "I only have some pieces of wood", replied Quasimodo and went to fetch them. Charlotte thought about what he had said and felt very sad. Ad�le and Quasimodo played together for some time, but then Charlotte said: "Now we have to leave, so that no one will know we have been here. Good-bye, little Quasi, we'll meet again soon." Ad�le squeezed the embarrassed Quasimodo; it was obvious that she wouldn't have liked to leave him. To her surprise, Charlotte saw Alida, Rosita, and Clopin in front of her home when she and Ad�le were returning from the Cathedral. Ad�le ran to them joyfully, but her mother hesitated. She couldn't forget what Quasimodo had said about his Gypsy mother, and she was surprised that this young man had come to meet her again. In any case, she greeted the Gypsies politely and led them inside the house. When the friends were talking together, Alida and Rosita couldn't help noticing how worried Charlotte was. Because they were very warm-hearted, they discreetly asked her what was the matter. Charlotte replied, hesitantly: "Actually, there is nothing wrong with Ad�le or me, but I have just found out something really shocking, and I hope there was something I could do." "Do you think we could help you?" asked Alida. "I don't know - it would be very dangerous for you," answered Charlotte, for she had just remembered Frollo. Suddenly, Ad�le started to cry. Clopin who was holding her on his knee, exclaimed in surprise: "What's the matter with you, little one?" Before Charlotte could prevent her, Ad�le sobbed: "Quasi is all alone in the bell tower!" "Quasi?" repeated the Gypsy man, "what do you mean by that?" "She is just impossible", Charlotte sighed. She called for one of her servants and urged her to take the little girl out of the room. Ad�le was despaired, because she missed Quasimodo all the time. Charlotte was unwilling to reveal the secret to the Gypsies, but finally she was obliged to tell them how she had become familiar with the little boy. However, she didn't tell them everything he had said. Clopin was very interested. "That child is one of us," said he. "I knew his mother. What did you say his name was?" "Quasimodo", Charlotte said slowly, "that means 'half-formed'." The Gypsies glanced at each other. "No one else but Frollo would have given that kind of a name to a baby!" exclaimed Rosita, "but it is true that when he was born, many of us were shocked." After deliberating the situation, the four friends decided that Charlotte would continue taking care of little Quasimodo and inform the Gypsies about how he was getting along. Ad�le loved Quasimodo, and during the next three weeks her mother took her to the bell tower many times. Both of them would have liked to give Quasi some toys, but he said that Frollo would have burned them. "He'd be furious if he knew you have visited me." Despite that, he was still affected with his guardian. At the same time, Clopin's interest in Charlotte was increasing. He often came to visit her, and they had surprisingly much to talk about. Clopin was flattered that the craftswoman was so interested in the Gypsy way of life, and Charlotte liked him because he was so fond of little Ad�le. Clopin told her that he was planning to become a storyteller, but all the Gypsies had great difficulties in supporting themselves because they were harassed by Frollo's guards. One day, Clopin, Rosita, and Alida made a proposal that they would also get a chance to meet Quasimodo. Charlotte was irresolute, for she knew how extremely dangerous it would be for any Gypsy to go to Notre Dame. True, the Cathedral was a sanctuary, but in this case the Gypsies were not going to flee before the soldiers, but go to the bell tower which was strictly forbidden from anyone. Finally, the friends decided that only Clopin would follow Charlotte and Ad�le there. Alida and Rosita whispered to each other that the young man surely had his eye on their new friend. On that very day, Frollo had once again remarked to Quasimodo on how evil and treacherous he found the Gypsies. So, it was understandable that the little one was exceedingly frightened when seeing a Gypsy man in Charlotte and Ad�le's company. "Don't let him take me!" he shouted and fled under the table. Charlotte pitied him, and Ad�le said gently: "Don't be afraid, Quasi, Clopin is kind." "Gypsies are wicked!" cried Quasimodo. "For Heaven's sake, darling, where have you had an idea like that?" exclaimed Charlotte. "Frollo says that Gypsies are evil, they lie and steal children." It was unnatural to hear a four-year-old child talk like that. "Charlotte, this is horrible - absolutely horrible!" Clopin said in a low voice, "Quasimodo was born among our people, but now he thinks that way about us! There is only one choice: we must take him to our secret hideout, the Court of Miracles, where he may meet his relatives and learn the truth about us." Ad�le exclaimed enthusiastically: "Oh, Clopin, may I also come to the Court?" Her mother, instead, was rather confused. "Clopin...I understand you mean Quasi's best, but the whole vagabond community would be put in a serious danger, for if your persecutor really is as cruel as I have heard, he won't spare his pains to get Quasi back and to punish you." Clopin deliberated for a moment. "You are right," he sighed, "as long as Frollo is alive our people won't be safe. But I simply can't bear to think how wrongly this little one is treated! I will discuss this with my friends and ask for some elders' advice, and then we'll try to find a solution." Charlotte had a daring plan. Two days later, she climbed to the bell tower only after the Vespers, for she knew Frollo wouldn't visit there before morning, and said to Quasimodo: "This is not a place for you. I will take you to my home in the city for a couple of days." "But...I can't go anywhere!" Quasimodo was frightened. "People would scorn and jeer at me...and Frollo - " "Quasi, little one, you mustn't think about Frollo all the time," Charlotte was almost annoyed. "He is not good to you, but very cruel, and you don't need to believe every single word he says! If you come with me I surely will take care that no one will mock or harm you." Quasimodo said only "no" and looked sad. Charlotte persuaded him: "Ad�le will rejoice when seeing you there!" "When will we come back?" Quasimodo asked. "If you still want to come back I will bring you here," Charlotte promised, but she was sure that wouldn't be necessary. Then she took the little boy in her arms and carried him the long way down the stairs and out of the whole church. Now Quasi was in the outside world for the first time since he had been a baby, and he was both afraid and full of curiosity. Fortunately, it was so dark that no one could see Charlotte taking the child across the square and inside her home. Ad�le was already asleep in the big bed, and Charlotte urged Quasimodo to go to sleep by her. Like Charlotte had guessed, Ad�le was happier than ever when she saw Quasimodo the next morning. "Will you stay with us?" she asked, squeezing him. "For now, yes," answered her mother, "but we must hide him." The servants were rather confused when seeing the little hunchback, and some of them were even scared of him. But Charlotte defended him determinedly. "He is a human child, and it's not he who is to be feared, but the terrible Minister of Justice who certainly will do his best to get him back. That's why we all must protect him, and very soon I will take him to the Gypsies." Alida and Rosita were horrified when Charlotte revealed her secret. "You shouldn't have taken the boy - Frollo may even destroy the whole city!" they exclaimed. However, they told their friend the glad news that the Gypsy elders had agreed to her and the children visiting the secret hideout. "Hopefully Quasi can even stay there with us," Rosita noted. One early morning, when Quasimodo had lived with Charlotte about a week, Clopin and the two Gypsy women arrived to fetch their friends. They approached the graveyard as quietly as they could. "Remember to keep our secret, whatever happens!" Clopin whispered to Charlotte. Of course, the Gypsies and other vagabonds were a bit embarrassed that a beautiful Parisian woman had arrived at their hideout with her small child. Charlotte was also surprised at seeing all those beggars, many of whom were sick or disabled. But particularly, the Gypsies were very kind to her - even their leader, an aged man who later told her that most of the so-called honorable citizens who trespassed to the Court of Miracles were hanged. Suddenly, Ad�le recognized Melina among the women and rushed to her. "Where is your baby?" she asked enthusiastically. "She is sleeping; will you come to see her?" Melina smiled and led the little girl to her dwelling. Ad�le kneeled by the side of the cradle. "What's her name?" she asked, touching carefully the baby's cheek. "Esmeralda," answered Melina. "What a lovely name!" Ad�le exclaimed. At the same time, Alida hastened to the other women. "Sarita, we have found your nephew!" One young Gypsy girl stepped forth. She went to Charlotte and Clopin. "Have you really found my sister's son?" she asked, with a gleam in her eyes. Clopin told her everything he knew about what had happened. When he finished Charlotte asked, looking determinedly in Sarita's eyes: "Where is your sister? I need to talk seriously to her." Namely, although many parents really abandoned their infants, Charlotte had got exceedingly angry with Quasi's mother because his abandonment had led to this kind of suffering. For her amazement, Sarita's eyes were filled with tears. "She is dead," sobbed she, "Minister Frollo...killed her...four years ago!" Charlotte was horrified. It took long until she was able to speak. Clopin whispered to her: "I should have told you." "You mean - that Frollo has lied about everything to Quasimodo?" Charlotte exclaimed at last. "Yes, if he has said Quasi has been abandoned," assured Sarita. "My sister always loved her baby." Charlotte tenderly embraced Quasimodo. "Poor little darling! Look, here is your aunt Sarita." The Gypsy girl took Quasi in her arms, although he still was frightened. "I suppose you have had a new name," she smiled, "it's not a nice one, but you may keep it because you are used to it. But I NEVER EVER will give you back to that abhorrent Frollo!" A little later Charlotte and Clopin together told Ad�le the truth about why Quasi had been imprisoned in the tower. Clopin described how the four Gypsies had travelled to Paris on a dark night, how a trap had been laid for them and how Quasi's mother had fled from her persecutor and fallen down on the Cathedral steps. Ad�le was despaired. "How could Frollo be so cruel?" When it was time for the visitors to leave the Court, Ad�le asked Quasimodo to come with them. The boy was so confused by everything new that he couldn't say anything, but Sarita said gently: "My little friend, Quasi's home is here from this day on. His mother was a Gypsy, and we want to keep him safe where he belongs. But you may often come to see him here!" Ad�le made a great noise. "Quasi is mine, and I won't give him to anyone!" She put her arms round Quasi's neck and burst into bitter tears. "You are wicked if you take Quasi from us!" Fortunately, her mother arrived just then. "Ad�le, you mustn't say that! I am also going to miss Quasi, but now he is among his own people, and I'm sure he'll be happy here - if only Frollo doesn't find this place." Go to Chapter 2 Back to Fanfic Back to Index |