Who knows the italian xmas tale of old befana?
The “Befana” is an ugly old woman, who brings gifts to the good children on Epiphany Eve. She wears a black shawl on hear head and her dress is dirty of soot because she goes into the houses through the chimney. If children had been “bad” instead of sweet or toys they will find onions soot, garlic and coal in their stockings. That’s why children during the weeks before Epiphany try to be more patient, good, rund and obedient than usual. On Epiphany eve children are very excited and curious too, still they go to bed very early, after they had hung their stocking on the fireplace. On Epiphany day they wake up very early in the morning, and they hurry to discover what the Befana left for them: some children will be very happy, some other will feel disappointed. Many children believe the Befana is Santa’s wife and that she lives on the South Pole. While he lives in the North Pole: as Santa Claus is too busy (he has to satisfy all the children of the world!) the Befana helps him in his work
