Page 17 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

and holy life, his learning in the Scriptures, and his great reverence relished his food more than seemed appropriate for someone fasting
among the citizens. The friar entered the room where Ser Ciappelletto for devotion. The friar reassured him that these were natural and trifling
lay and began to comfort him gently. He asked how long it had been sins, but Ser Ciappelletto insisted that anything done in the service of
since Ser Ciappelletto had confessed. God should be done with perfect purity.

Ser Ciappelletto, who had never confessed before, replied, "Father, The friar, pleased with Ser Ciappelletto's conscience, asked if he had
I make it a practice to confess at least once a week, and often more sinned by avarice. Ser Ciappelletto denied any involvement in the
frequently. But since I have been sick for eight days, I have not usurers' concerns, claiming he had come to admonish them and wean
confessed due to my affliction." them from their abominable trade. He explained that he had dedicated
most of his inherited fortune to God and shared his gains with the poor,
The friar said, "Son, you have done well, and it is good for you reserving half for himself and giving the other half to them.
to continue. Since you confess so often, my task of listening and
questioning will be light." The friar then asked if he had often given way to anger. Ser Ciappelletto
admitted that he had, but only because he saw people breaking
Ser Ciappelletto responded, "Master friar, I do not say so. I have not God's commandments and walking in the way of the world. The friar
confessed so often that I would not like to make a general confession considered this a righteous wrath and found no reason to lay a penance
of all my sins from birth to the present time. Therefore, I pray you to upon him. He asked if anger had ever led him to take human life or
question me precisely in every detail, as if I had never been confessed. wrong anyone. Ser Ciappelletto vehemently denied any such thoughts,
Spare me not because of my sickness, for I would rather endure saying he had always prayed for those who did evil.
physical discomfort than risk the perdition of my soul, which my Savior
redeemed with His precious blood." The friar continued to question him, and Ser Ciappelletto confessed
to speaking ill of a neighbor who beat his wife and to keeping four
The holy man was delighted with Ser Ciappelletto's words, which coins he found in a payment, which he later gave to charity. The friar
seemed to indicate a soul in a state of grace. He expressed his approval considered these small matters and praised him for his actions.
and began by asking if Ser Ciappelletto had ever sinned carnally with As the friar was about to give absolution, Ser Ciappelletto interjected,
a woman. Ser Ciappelletto sighed and replied, "My father, I fear to confessing that he once caused his servant to sweep his house on a
tell you the truth, lest I sin in vain-glory." The friar encouraged him to Saturday afternoon and that his observance of Sunday was less devout
speak boldly, assuring him that no one ever sinned by telling the truth than it should have been. The friar reassured him that these were light
in confession. Ser Ciappelletto then claimed to be a virgin, even as matters, but Ser Ciappelletto insisted on their importance. Finally, Ser
when he was born. The friar praised him, saying his merit was greater Ciappelletto began to weep bitterly, confessing that he once cursed his
because he could have done otherwise more easily than those under mother as a child. The friar comforted him, saying that God pardons
the constraint of rule. even those who curse Him if they repent. Ser Ciappelletto, still weeping,
insisted that his sin was too great and begged the friar to pray for him.
The friar then asked if he had offended God by gluttony. Ser Ciappelletto The friar promised to pray, and Ser Ciappelletto continued to weep,
sighed heavily and admitted that he had, explaining that he fasted convinced that only the friar's prayers could secure God's pardon for
frequently but sometimes enjoyed his water as much as great drinkers his heinous offense.
enjoy their wine. He also craved dainty dishes of herbs and occasionally

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The Decameron