Gabriele D'Annunzio: Sentimental Illness?Gabriele D'Annunzio once stayed at a hotel which owned a goldfish, to which the poet developed a peculiar attachment. Having christened the fish 'Adolphus,' D'Annunzio would feed it, talk to it, and spend hours watching it swimming in its bowl. Upon his return to Italy, D'Annunzio regularly telegraphed the hotel to ask: "How is my beloved Adolphus?"
One day the fish died and the maitre d'hotel simply threw it away. Shortly thereafter, another telegram arrived from D'Annunzio: "Feel Adolphus is not well." The maitre d' cabled back: "Adolphus dead. Died last night." D'Annunzio replied: "Bury him in the garden. Arrange his grave." Bemused, the maitre d' procured a sardine, wrapped it in silver paper, and buried it in the garden beneath a small cross bearing the inscription: "Here lies Adolphus."
Incredibly, D'Annunzio soon hurried back to London, visited the grave, laid flowers upon it, and stood over it, weeping.
[Ironically, D'Annunzio later became a fervent supporter of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.]
D'Annunzio, Gabriele (1863-1938) Italian poet, playwright, novelist, and politician; World War I flying ace [noted for his passionate, free-spirited heroes and for his support of Mussolini's fascist regime]
[Sources: E. Fuller, 2500 Anecdotes]More Gabriele D`Annunzio anecdotesRelated Anecdote Keywords:
Fish Pets Animals Death Burial Absurdity Sentiment Love Grieving Funerals Wimps
View/add Comments [0]
