MANUEL DEL PALACIO
by Unknown · from Fábulas y cuentos en verso: Selección
Adapted Version
In a marble quarry, one bright stone moved.
Many stones sat near the hill. They were quiet and still. Men came with ropes and wood. They chose one smooth, bright stone. The other stones stayed behind. They watched the bright stone leave its place.
The men pulled with ropes. They pushed with long bars. A cart stood on the road. Bright Stone climbed onto the cart. The wood gave a long creak. Bright Stone felt tall and proud. It liked the sound of moving. It thought big things would come.
Then the Quarry Stones spoke softly. “Why leave?” “Please remember us.” Their voices were low and kind. Bright Stone heard every word.
Bright Stone answered at once. “People chose me. I will be a statue.” Bright Stone felt bigger with each word. The cart rolled on slowly.
The Quarry Stones spoke again. “We pity you. Do not brag.” Their words were soft and sad. They wanted Bright Stone to listen.
Then the Quarry Stones gave warning. “Stay humble. You are still stone.” Bright Stone stayed proud and silent.
The Quarry Stones spoke one last time. “Change will chip you. It may hurt.” Bright Stone grew still then. The cart creaked down the road.
Stones leave dust when hands shape them. People leave tears when life shapes them. Growing and changing can feel hard. Proud hearts can feel hurt too. So people should stay humble. They should remember where they came from.
Original Story
MANUEL DEL PALACIO
Lérida, 1831; † 1906.
LOS PEDAZOS DE MÁRMOL
Al pie de una cantera
de mármol de Carrara
varios gigantes bloques
restos de una gran ruina semejaban,
mientras otro, movido
por cuerdas y palancas,
a un carro conducían
muchos obreros en alegre zambra.
Diez poderosos bueyes,
uncidos por el asta,
iban la inmensa mole
a llevar a través de la montaña;
y cuando al recibirla
rechinaron las tablas,
oyóse en el espacio
sordo rumor de voces y amenazas.
—¿Por qué nos abandonas?
—las piedras murmuraban—.
¿Qué buscas en tu orgullo
fuera de estas regiones solitarias?
—El hombre me ha elegido
—respondió la arrastrada—
para que al mundo admire,
centinela perpetuo de su fama.
Si hasta hoy he sido roca,
mañana seré estatua;
no tengo yo la culpa
de ser la más hermosa y la más blanca.
—Piedad antes que enojo
en nosotras hallaras,
si cautiva a la fuerza
de tu profanación no hicieras gala.
Pero en vano te engríes,
la vanidad te engaña,
que aun cambiando de forma
piedra serás, cual somos tus hermanas.
Y antes de que te eleves
del vulgo a las miradas,
¡no sabes tú los golpes
de cincel y martillo que te aguardan!
Los hombres en la tierra
son mármoles con alma,
y si éstos al labrarse dejan polvo,
aquéllos dejan lágrimas.
NATURALISMO
Molidos de la jornada
y con hambre, aunque risueños,
dos estudiantes rondeños
llegaron a una posada.
Comenzaba a anochecer
y entrambos, sin vacilar,
acercáronse al hogar
decididos a comer.
Ligera cual una ardilla
rubia moza les previno,
con un buen jarro de vino,
salchichón, pan y tortilla,
que devoraron los dos
sin tener que repetir,
yéndose luego a dormir
en paz y en gracia de Dios.
A la mañana siguiente,
rayando apenas el día,
del ventero en compañía
tomaron el aguardiente;
y a seguida de pagar
los caballos dispusieron,
y alegres como vinieron
se volvieron a marchar.
No será el cuento profundo
ni por él pido mercedes;
pero ¿no lo hallan ustedes
lo más natural del mundo?
Story DNA
Moral
Pride and vanity often lead to unforeseen suffering and a loss of connection to one's origins, and true transformation comes with a cost.
Plot Summary
At a Carrara marble quarry, a large block is chosen for transport, destined to become a statue. The other discarded blocks question its pride and warn it against abandoning its origins, predicting that despite its transformation, it will still be stone and will endure immense suffering from the sculptor's tools. The chosen block dismisses their warnings, boasting of its beauty and future fame. The story concludes by comparing the shaping of marble with the shaping of humans, both processes leaving behind remnants of pain.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to implied suffering
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Manuel del Palacio was a Spanish poet, hence the poem's structure and allegorical nature are typical of literary works of the period. The second part, 'Naturalismo,' seems to be a separate, unrelated poem by the same author, focusing on a simple, realistic scene, contrasting with the allegorical first part.
Plot Beats (8)
- Workers prepare a large marble block from a Carrara quarry for transport, while other blocks lie discarded.
- The chosen marble block is moved by ropes and levers onto a cart, causing the wood to creak.
- The other marble blocks murmur, asking why it abandons them and what it seeks in its pride.
- The chosen block responds, stating it has been chosen by man to become a statue, a perpetual sentinel of fame, due to its beauty and whiteness.
- The other blocks express pity rather than anger, but condemn its display of pride in its forced profanation.
- They warn the chosen block that its vanity deceives it, and despite changing form, it will remain stone, like them.
- They caution the block that it does not know the many blows of chisel and hammer that await it before it can be elevated for public admiration.
- The narrator concludes by comparing men to marble with souls, both leaving behind dust (marble) or tears (men) when they are carved or shaped by life.
Characters
The Chosen Marble Block
A gigantic, pristine block of Carrara marble, notably whiter and more beautiful than its surroundings. It is immense in size, requiring ten powerful oxen to move it.
Attire: N/A (as it is a block of marble)
Wants: To achieve fame and admiration by being transformed into a statue, to be a 'perpetual sentinel of man's fame'.
Flaw: Vanity and a lack of understanding of the suffering involved in its transformation. It is oblivious to the pain of being sculpted.
It begins as a proud, chosen block, eager for transformation. Its arc is implied to involve a painful realization of the 'blows of chisel and hammer' it must endure, though the story ends before this transformation is complete.
Proud, arrogant, ambitious, somewhat naive about the process of transformation. It believes itself superior due to its beauty.
The Other Marble Blocks
Several gigantic blocks of Carrara marble, appearing as 'rests of a great ruin'. They are likely rougher and less refined than the chosen block, perhaps with some imperfections or less brilliant whiteness.
Attire: N/A (as they are blocks of marble)
Wants: To warn their 'sister' about the pain and ultimate futility of vanity, and to express their sorrow at her departure.
Flaw: Their inability to prevent their sister's departure or change her mind.
They remain unchanged, serving as a static chorus of warning.
Resentful, cynical, wise in a somber way, empathetic towards the suffering involved in transformation. They are grounded and realistic.
First Rondeño Student
A young man of average height and build, likely with a healthy, sun-kissed complexion from travel. His appearance suggests a student from Ronda, a town in Andalusia, Spain.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for travel in 19th-century Spain. Likely a linen or wool shirt, sturdy trousers, and a jacket, possibly a short capa (cape) for warmth. Earthy tones like brown, grey, or off-white.
Wants: To find food, shelter, and rest after a day's journey.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a slight naivety or lack of deep introspection, given the story's light tone.
He experiences a simple, satisfying journey and rest, with no significant personal change.
Cheerful, hungry, decisive, content. He enjoys simple pleasures and is easily satisfied.
Second Rondeño Student
Similar to the first student, a young man of average height and build, with a healthy complexion from travel. He shares the 'risueños' (smiling) disposition.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for travel in 19th-century Spain. Likely a linen or wool shirt, sturdy trousers, and a jacket, possibly a short capa (cape) for warmth. Earthy tones like brown, grey, or off-white.
Wants: To find food, shelter, and rest after a day's journey.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a slight naivety or lack of deep introspection, given the story's light tone.
He experiences a simple, satisfying journey and rest, with no significant personal change.
Cheerful, hungry, decisive, content. He enjoys simple pleasures and is easily satisfied.
Blonde Serving Girl
A young woman, light and agile, described as 'ligera cual una ardilla' (light as a squirrel). Her hair is 'rubia' (blonde), which is less common in Spain but not unheard of, suggesting a fair complexion.
Attire: Simple, practical attire for an inn servant in 19th-century Spain. Likely a plain linen blouse, a long, dark skirt, and a simple apron. Colors would be muted and functional.
Wants: To serve the guests of the inn efficiently.
Flaw: None shown.
She remains a static character, fulfilling her role as a servant.
Efficient, quick, attentive to her duties, and helpful.
The Innkeeper
A man of mature age, likely sturdy and practical, as befits an innkeeper. His appearance would be typical of a Spanish innkeeper of the era.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing for an innkeeper in 19th-century Spain. Likely a dark waistcoat over a simple shirt, sturdy trousers, and possibly a short jacket. Colors would be dark and functional.
Wants: To run his inn successfully and provide good service to travelers.
Flaw: None shown.
He remains a static character, fulfilling his role as an innkeeper.
Businesslike, hospitable, and attentive to his guests' needs (providing aguardiente and arranging horses).
Locations
Carrara Marble Quarry Foot
At the base of a large Carrara marble quarry, several gigantic blocks of marble lay scattered, resembling the remains of a great ruin. The ground is likely uneven, covered with marble dust and smaller stone fragments. The air would be filled with the sounds of labor and the scent of freshly cut stone.
Mood: Industrial, raw, a sense of impending change and the vastness of nature's resources.
A large marble block is being loaded onto a cart by workers and oxen, destined to be sculpted into a statue, while other blocks 'murmur' about its departure.
Rondeño Inn
A rustic Spanish inn, likely with a central hearth or fireplace where travelers can warm themselves. The interior would be simple but welcoming, with sturdy wooden furniture and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The lighting would be dim as evening falls, illuminated by the hearth and perhaps a few oil lamps.
Mood: Warm, welcoming, humble, cozy, a place of respite for travelers.
Two students arrive, eat a simple meal by the hearth, sleep, and then depart after a morning drink.