The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Story of Unconditional Love

Quasimodo's Origin and Rejection

He was an innocent creature to whom God gave life, but whose irresponsible parents despised him solely for having a physical defect: he was a hunchback. He was left abandoned at the gate of the Church of Notre Dame (Paris), where the Prior of the convent found him when he was only a few days old.

"Virgin Mary!" he exclaimed, "Who has dared to abandon this son of God?"

The Prior attended to him immediately and only then noticed the defect he carried. He tried to deliver the child to a good family, but everyone, rich and poor, refused him due to his uneven appearance. With great sadness, the Prior understood that many who called themselves Christians only used their faith to hide their infamous prejudice. Thus, he decided to raise the child himself.

Upbringing and Isolation

He called him Quasimodo, guiding him along the path of the Lord. Quasimodo grew up happily in the huge temple without any contact with people, because when the Prior tried to introduce him to others, they brutally rejected him:

• "You devil!" they screamed.
• "Out, the abomination!"

Hurt by the distilled evil of the crowd, the Prior chose to take him to the bell tower. From there, Quasimodo watched the world, safe from harm.

The Arrival of Esmeralda

Time passed, and when the Prior aged, Quasimodo took over the care of the temple. One day, Esmeralda, the beautiful gypsy, visited. She danced in the square to help her parents. They became friends, as she was not reluctant to accept the appearance of the good Quasimodo, who thereafter enjoyed her performance from the bell tower.

The King's Vile Decree and the Final Act

But one afternoon, soldiers surrounded Esmeralda and led her to the royal court. There, the vile monarch forbade her from continuing to dance, but warned her that he would vary the order if she behaved "nicely" with him. The gypsy, without hesitation, gave him a slap before leaving. Esmeralda continued dancing, and Quasimodo continued admiring.

But the soldiers returned, this time to kidnap and brutally assault her. Her faithful friend rushed to her aid. Quasimodo beat the soldiers with his massive strength and rescued Esmeralda, bringing her to the top of the bell tower. The crowd egged the soldiers on to shoot him. They did so, hitting their target.

The Lesson of Love

Esmeralda fell fainting, and upon waking, she thought to die by his side. It was the most beautiful lesson of love bequeathed by the hunchback, in the midst of a cruel and merciless society. He smiled happily before dying in the arms of the Great Lady. The End.