Once upon a time, not too long ago, in 1905 in Calabria, Italy, there lived a Sheppard and his family on a large sheep farm. His name was Pietro Pastoralli but he was known through the village as Pietro u Peccuraru or Pietro the Sheppard in English.

Pietro was married to Rosetta who was a very good wife and mother. They had a daughter named Enza. Pietro had wished to have some sons to help him herd the sheep, but they were only blessed with Enza . Rosetta was grateful to have a lovely daughter and she prayed everyday to give thanks. Pietro also loved Enza but would comment from time time, “S’iu o avutu figli masculi potiannu autare a la farma.” This translates as, “If I had sons they would be able to help me with the farm.”

Finally, one day, Rosetta had a discussion with Pietro about this issue. She said, “Enza se criche bella forte, pechi non lampare autare a te con le peccore.” This translates as “Enza is growing up nice and strong, why don’t you teach her how to help you with the sheep.” At first, Pietro laughed at Rosetta’s outrageous suggestion, but then he thought it over and said, “Ma perchi no, e peccore non si carrecanu si e unomenu o na fimmine la guardannu.” This translates as, “Well, why not, the sheep do not care if a man or a woman is watching over them.”

At that time, a female Sheppard was unheard of so Pietro and his wife were the first people to even consider such a thing. Gender roles were clearly defined back then and it was a daring move on their part to train their daughter to be a Sheppard. When word got out about this, the neighbours were furiously gossiping about such a ludicrous idea. One neighbour said, “Ma chise sunnu pazzu!” This translates as, “My, these people are crazy.”

When Enza was a young child she loved to pet the sheep. She would also get a big kick out of gently pulling their tails so that they would go, “Biann!” These were Calabrese sheep so that is why they would go, “Biann!” instead of Canadian sheep that go, “Baa!” Anyways, Enza would laugh at their sheep sounds so hard that tears would stream down her cute little face!

The idea of becoming a Sheppard really appealed to Enza when her father presented it to her. Enza was now twelve years old and solidly built, yet she had a femmine mystic about her. Pietro trained Enza in all the basics of tending sheep and he also taught her all the finer points. Enza was now ready to watch the herd of sheep all by herself. On Enza’s first time out she did such a marvelous job that Pietro happily exclaimed, “Ma, figliama sa fare u peccuraru!” This translates as, “My, my daughter knows how to be a Sheppard!”

As time passed, Pietro grew more and more confident in Enza’s abilities and knew that she was both responsible and trustworthy. Enza was now eighteen years old and was certainly the finest looking Sheppard in the region! Enza always maintained her feminine ways even though she was engaged in so called “masculine” duties. The big day came when Pietro and Enza went into town to sell the wool from the sheep and also to sell some sheep to the local butcher. It turned out to be a very profitable day indeed. Pietro was tired out from all the price haggling at the market and so he decided to head home and entrusted Enza to go to the local bank and make a deposit in their business account.

The banker was Salvatore Sordi who was a very large man. The people in the town used to say that Salvatore got fat off of their money because even then, banks had hefty service charges and high interest rates. Salvatore’s son named Remo worked at the bank as a teller. Remo was a handsome young lad who had settled in to his career choice and was now looking to find a wife and start a family.

Enza entered the bank and walked over to Remo’s teller window. Enza was well dressed for market day and was wearing a perfume called “Passione” or “Passion.” As soon as Remo laid eyes on Enza he was smitten! Enza had to repeat her deposit amount a few times since Remo was so stunned he was not able to concentrate. Remo asked Enza, “Si spusata?” This means, “Are you married?” Enza could feel the sparks coming from Remo and they awaken in her a strong desire to get to know this nice looking man. Enza coyly replied, with enthusiasm, and perhaps a bit too loudly, “No!” Enza then left the bank in a romantic haze leaving Remo in a romantic haze also!

Remo then asked his father about Enza. Salvatore got really angry and said, “Ma tu si pazzu! Chi vu fare cu chista peccurara? Ida e tutta a famiglia sua puzzanu e peccore!” This translates as, “Are you crazy! Why would you want to get involved with a Sheppard? Her and her whole family stinks of sheep!” Remo was appalled by his father’s reaction and said in Enza’s defense, “Ma i sordi da famiglia sua per te non puzzanu!” This means, “But her and her family’s money do not stink to you!” With that, Remo stormed out of the bank and went to the nearby Cantina to have a glass of wine and cool off.

That night when Remo lay in bed, he kept thinking of Enza. She would make a wonderful wife and mother, he thought to himself. Who cares if she is a Sheppard? The next morning Remo told his father that he was going to go over to the Pastoralli farmhouse to ask Enza’s father for permission to marry his daughter. Salvatore exploded with rage and said, “Si tu ti spusi a peccurara non si piu u figlio mio e ti po trovare natru lavuru!” This translates as, “If you marry that Sheppard girl, you are no son of mine and you can find yourself another job!”

Despite what his father said Remo went ahead to the farmhouse and got Pietro’s permission to marry his daughter. Remo then asked Enza to marry him and Enza said in a loud strong voice, “Si! or “Yes!” They then set a date for the marriage. In the meantime, Remo started working on the sheep farm because he had lost his job. Remo also was living in the barn since his father had disowned him. Remo really enjoyed being out in the nice fresh country air which was a welcome change from the stuffy air of his father’s bank.

A week before the wedding was to take place; Salvatore went out for a few glasses of wine with his Cumpare Raggio. Raggio noticed that Salvatore was not very happy. Salvatore explained that his only son was going to get married and that was not going to be in attendance. Salvatore regretted disowning his only son and said in a teary voice, “E quannu fannu i figli no mi ponnu chiamare Nonnu.” This translates as, “When they have children they won’t be able to call me Grandfather.” Cumpare Raggio agreed with Salvatore and said it does not matter what people do for a living as long as they are truly in love. The Compari also said love knows no cultural or social barriers. Salvatore agreed and promised to make peace with his son.

On the wedding day, both the Pastoralli family and the Sordi family were there to celebrate the love between their children. Remo stayed on at the farmhouse and together with Enza they raised two thousand sheep and eight beautiful children. Salvatore was happy with his grandchildren and was also happy that the biggest bank account at his bank was Remo and Enza’s.

And so everybody was truly happy! This proves that the power of true love can conquer all obstacles! To life and love!