The Jar

                                          - Luigi Pirandello

 Lollo Zirafa had an olives farming at Primosole. When his production of oil increased, he bought a new big jar.

            He was a short-tempered man who could not tolerate other people. There was nobody around with whom Don Lollo had not quarreled. He would immediately become ready to go to court in town to sue the person with whom he had quarrel. He had spent a lot of his property on court fees and the lawyers’ bills. His legal adviser had given him a pocket book of legal processes so that he could himself decide when to go to the court.

            The jar he had ordered for duly arrived. He had paid four florins for it. It was kept in the wine cellar. Before that it was kept in the crushing-shed for a few days.

            Don Lollo, while supervising his harvest and the workers in the field, scolded and threatened them for dire result if any harm would be done. On the third day, when the work was finished, three farm workers entered the crushing-shed to keep ladders and poles that had been used for beating olive trees. They saw the new jar had been broken into two pieces as if somebody had cut it with a sharp knife. They decided to inform Lollo and called him. Lollo became angry and blamed at the three working for the damage. When he was calm, the workers consoled him and suggested him that he should get the jar mended. They also referred the name of Zi’ Dima Lucasi who was skilful at mending jars applying his own secret composition. First, he did not show any interest in getting the jar mended. But finally, Zi’ Dima was called.

            Zi’ Dima arrived at Primosole the next morning. He was a man who hardly spoke to anybody. He looked sad because he had not got the patent right on his new product. He was willing to prove the worth of his product, but wanted to keep the secret of it. Don Lollo who was not convinced of Zi’ Dima’s product wanted to see it. But Zi’ Dima told him to see its result instead of the product itself. So, Don Lollo could not be convinced and he wanted to have rivets along with Zi’ Dima’s cement for mending the jar. Zi’ Dima, on the other hand, wanted to apply his cement only. Don Lollo denied.

            Zi’ Dima started his work in a state of great indignation because he felt humiliated. He made holes around the jar and entered into it to mend. He also took the help of some of the farm workers. As he worked, he complained of his misfortune. Finally, after an hour when he finished putting all the rivets in the jar, he tried to come out but the narrow neck did not allow him to. Actually, he had overlooked its narrowness being so absorbed in his grievance.

            Zi’ Dima panicked when he realized he couldn’t come out of the jar. He did not want even his wage, but Don Lollo did not have any way to help him come out because he did not want to break the jar. Instead, he gave Zi’ Dima his wage (five lire) of the day and ordered food and drink for him before going to the town on a mule to meet his lawyer. The lawyer counseled him that Zi’ Dima would have to pay the price of the jar because he was responsible for the damage caused to the jar due to his lack of skill.

            When Don Lollo returned home happily, he saw his farm workers were singing and dancing around the jar in celebration. He bent down to Zi’ Dima and told him to estimate the current value of the jar in price. He said it cost a third of the former price. If he paid the money, Don Lollo was ready to break the jar and let him come out. But Zi’ Dima preferred to stay inside to paying the price.

            When Don Lollo went to his farmhouse to sleep at night, Zi’ Dima made the farm workers bring alcohol from a local tavern for celebration under the bright moon. When Don Lollo woke up at night, his workers, who were drunk, were dancing and Zi’ Dima was singing in a loud voice from inside the jar. Together they were making a loud noise. He could not tolerate it and ran towards them. He kicked the jar and it rolled down the slope before hitting an olive tree and breaking into many pieces relieving Zi’ Dima as the winner in the dispute.