A Film in Search of a Title (I.P.)

My daughters said to me,
Let's watch an old film, dad.
I smiled and hugged them
to show that I was glad.

I knew that a cine club
were holding a retro
of popular foreign movies;
we travelled on the metro

to see what was showing.
The picture was French;
a whimsical comedy
about a naive wench.

While waiting on tables,
she let her imagination run.
From simple pleasures
she derived lots of fun.

She liked skipping stones
along a nearby canal;
an entertainment that some
might think rather banal.

One day she found a box
containing documents
relating to childhood
and other past events.

Imagine her surprise
and bewilderment
to find this container
hidden in her apartment

Having read of the death
of a much-loved princess,
she had committed herself
to spreading happiness.

By employing methods
that were unorthodox,
she finds the owner
of that forgotten box.

It held many memories
for a man deserted
by his family, but a crisis
can be averted.

He is moved to tears
and thoroughly delighted.
Now his estranged daughter
and he can be reunited.

Mission accomplished 
but she will still enjoy
propagating to others
unexpected joy.

© Luigi Pagano 2023