How we cite our quotes: (Page Number)
Quote #1
"Anthony, […] you must sweep the house and wash the dishes. You must weed the garden and pick the vegetables. You must feed the goat and milk her. And you must fetch the water. For this, I will give you three coins and a place to sleep and food to eat." (10)
Now that's a clear job description. It's easy to see that Strega Nona is someone who values clear rules and order.
Quote #2
"The one thing you must never do," said Strega Nona, "is touch the pasta pot. It is very valuable and I don't let anyone touch it!" (10)
There aren't a lot of exclamation points in this book, so we know Strega Nona takes this rule very seriously.
Quote #3
And so the days went by. Big Anthony did his work and Strega Nona met with the people who came to see her […]. Big Anthony had a nice bed to sleep in next to the goat shed, and he had food to eat. (11)
When everyone is following the rules, everything stays in order and life moves along pleasantly and easily.
Quote #4
"Someday I will get the pasta pot and make it cook! And then they'll be sorry." (14)
Hm. Sounds like someone's forgotten one of the rules. The big rule.
Quote #5
As soon as Strega Nona was out of sight, Big Anthony went inside, pulled the pasta pot off the shelf, and put it on the floor. (16)
Rule? Broken. What do you think is going to happen to all that order?
Quote #6
"Stop!" yelled Big Anthony. But the pasta did not stop and if someone hadn't grabbed poor Big Anthony, the pasta would have covered him up.
It seems that rogue pasta isn't really fond of following orders, especially when the orders are being given by someone who's already broken the rules.
Quote #7
"We are lost," said the people, and the priest and the sisters of the convent began praying. "The pasta will cover our town," they cried. (28)
One rule broken and the entire town appears to be doomed. It's been a pretty rough day for Big Anthony.
Quote #8
Illustration: Strega Nona blowing the three kisses that stop the pasta pot and save the village. (30)
Thank goodness someone knows how to restore order in this town!