Chapter 3 Copilia In a small village in the mountains there lived a toy maker named Copilius.
He mostly kept to himself, so the townspeople knew little about him.
He lived in a great big house and spent much of his time working it, making toys.
The townspeople also knew that Cobelius had a daughter.
She was one more secret Cobelius kept to himself.
Each night she would sit by her bedroom window and read.
No one ever saw her leave the house.
Occasionally, people would stroll by and wave at the beautiful woman in the window, but she never paid them attention.
She sat still and focused on her book.
One summer evening, a villager named Franz walked by the toymaker's house.
Glancing at the upstairs window, he saw the most beautiful woman he could have ever imagined.
He stopped in his tracks and took a few moments to gather the courage to greet her.
So you see my daughter, Coppelia said, suddenly appearing behind Franz.
I do, Franz replied.
She is most lovely.
What is her name?
Coppelia, the man said proudly.
Her beautiful name suits her, Franz said, still gazing at the high window.
It does indeed, Coppelia answered.
And what's your name, my boy?
My name is Franz, sir.
Franz?
What kind of a name is that? the man asked while he chuckled.
Franz felt his face turn red.
I'm just joking, my boy, just joking.
Coppelius laughed, knowing he had truly embarrassed the young man.
Franz is a fine name.
Franz didn't take his teasing so lightly.
He forced a smile only because he hoped to get invited inside to meet the man's daughter.
You tricked me on that one, sir, Franz said, trying to sound amused.
He made sure Coppelius didn't know how rude he thought the man's comment was.
I should be going now.
It is time for my daughter to make me some tea.
Franz had a hopeful look in his eyes.
Coppelius must have noticed.
At once the toy maker squashed any idea that Franz would be invited in for afternoon tea.
It is sad that you can't join us, Franz.
My daughter and I always take tea alone.
It is our special time to talk about the books she reads.
Coppelius expected Franz to be disappointed.
Perhaps another time?
Franz asked.
Perhaps, Coppelius answered, or perhaps not.
As rude as this old man was, Franz still could not give up hope that one day he would meet Kobelia.
He held on to the image of her sitting in the window.
From that day forward, Franz made time to walk past the toymaker's house just to catch a glimpse of beautiful Kobelia.
He would stand there longing for her and looking up at the window, hoping she would see him.
Every day was the same.
The woman remained true to her reading, and Franz went home feeling rejected and hopeless.
There was another girl in Franz's life whom he was having a hard time forgetting.
Swanilda was a kind and caring soul, but not an exquisite beauty like Gobelia.
They had been friends for quite some time, and had recently talked of marriage.
But Franz had put her off, wondering if he was indeed ready for that.
Seeing Cobelia now every day made his situation even tougher.
Swanilda had heard of Cobelia and her unmatched beauty.
She also learned of Franz's fascination with the toymaker's daughter and his daily walks to see the mysterious woman.
It upset her to think of Franz's heart belonging to another.
'Swanilda decided she would soon pay a little visit to Copelia 'and see what she thought of her Franz?
'The very next night, there was a celebration in the town 'to honour the hard work of the townspeople?
'Franz and a bunch of his friends gathered in the streets, 'laughing and carrying on like a bunch of schoolboys'?
By chance, Coppelius walked by.
He was wandering aimlessly through the town, singing to himself and not paying too much attention to where he was going.
As he passed the group of boys, he tripped on the cobblestone.
They laughed at foolish, strange Coppelius as he picked himself up.
Coppelius, we meet again, said Franz as he watched the man brush himself off.
Yes, hello, my boy.
You are the young man who has eyes for my daughter, Coppelius said.
Is your daughter coming to the celebration tonight?
Franz asked, hopeful.
No, Coppelius not much for parties.
She likes to stay in her room and read, as you know.
The old man was having a little trouble standing up.
He looked like he was in pain from his fall.
He moved closer to lean on Franz.
The young man had a bad feeling about Kobelius.
I'm sorry, Kobelius, but I must go, Franz stuttered, moving away from the strange man.
Please, give your daughter my best wishes.
Franz watched Kobelius wobble away, mumbling to himself.
After he was gone, Franz noticed Key on the ground.
The young man grabbed it.
I've got the key to his house, Franz yelled in delight.
His real pleasure was in possibly getting to meet Cobelia, but he enticed his friends with the fun of seeing the old man's toy workshop.
On the way to the house, the young men met up with Swanilda and a few of her friends.
Come along, Franz spoke with excitement.
We've got the key to Cobelia's house.
So, when Ilda was happy to join in, this was a perfect opportunity for her to catch a glimpse of the mysterious young woman and hopefully talk to her.
She giggled with the rest of the girls as they followed along toward the toymaker's house.
Franz opened the door with a key and motioned the boys in the house with him.
They took off directly for the workshop.
The girls were more nervous about entering the home.
They cautiously stepped into the doorway.
Swanilda was the only one who bravely pushed through, heading for the stairs to question the young woman.
When she got to the upstairs room, she found Coppelia standing in the corner.
Suddenly shy and nervous about breaking into the house, Swanilda felt like running for the door.
But Coppelia didn't make even the slightest move.
It seemed so strange that Swanilda went nearer to the girl.
I want you to stop flirting with my fronds, Swanilda said in a warning tone.
If you don't, you will have to deal with me.
Copilia didn't answer.
Swanilda got very upset, thinking that the girl was ignoring her.
She walked up to her and stood face to face with the beauty.
She took her by the shoulder, meaning to get her attention.
Instead, she found the woman stiff and cold.
Swanilda couldn't believe it.
Why, you are just a doll, Swanilda gasped.
She almost dropped to the floor in amazement.
How could we all have been fooled like this?
Swanilda pushed the doll into the shadows.
She grabbed the shawl from around the doll's shoulders and put it around her own shoulders.
Suddenly she heard a commotion downstairs.
It sounded like Coppelius had returned home and was forcing the boys and girls out of the house.
Swanilda was frightened.
She stood very still, expecting Coppelius to enter.
Instead, she saw Franz appear in the doorway.
Perhaps he was coming to save her.
The room was dark and Franz tripped over some tools.
Soon after, another person appeared in the doorway.
Coppelius looked down and saw Franz slumped on the floor.
I thought it was probably you in here trying to see my daughter and rummage through my toys.
Coppelius said.
He stepped behind the door and picked up a nearby broom to threaten Franz.
Franz stared back at the man.
He didn't know what to say.
I don't want you in here, Coppelius said angrily.
Get out of my house.
He swung the broom right down on Franz's head.
He was knocked out and again fell to the floor.
Swanilda wanted to run to France and see if he was badly hurt, but she had to keep control of herself if she was to quietly escape the house.
Ah, finally I can now try my magic, Coppelius exclaimed.
I will take the life from you, my sorry boy, and give it to my beautiful daughter doll.
Coppelius at home. always wished his toys were alive.
In his loneliness, he had read many magic books and said many spells, hoping and wishing for real-life company.
But he never even came close to bringing one of his dolls to life.
Perhaps this would be the time.
The man leaned over Franz, who was still lying motionless on the floor.
He mumbled a spell over his body.
Then he shut his eyes and pointed to Swandilta.
He thought she was Gobelia.
He counted to ten, then opened his eyes.
Dance, my beautiful doll, he said.
Please dance, my lovely Gobelia.
Swanilda wanted to laugh out loud at the toymaker for thinking he could make such magic, but she also feared what he might do to Franz in his anger.
So she went along with his demand.
The young woman pretended the life of Franz had taken over her body.
She spun around and began to dance mechanically the way a doll would.
Coppelius nearly burst with excitement.
"'My magic has worked!'
My beautiful Coppola has come to life.
Hooray!
Swanilda began to dance more gracefully around the room.
She could spin around all night, but she feared she'd never be able to rescue Franz and escape from the toy workshop.
As she twirled, her mind developed a clever plan.
Still acting like a dancing doll, Swanilda waltzed toward a shelf that held dishes.
She picked up a saucer and threw it at the old man.
Coppelius looked at her as if she was crazy.
Swenilda did another twirl and bent down to the floor to curtsy.
There she grabbed a block of wood and flung it at Coppelius.
She missed his head by inches.
Stop it!
Stop it, Coppelia!
I'm your father!
Don't hurt me!
The old man's words meant nothing to Swenilda.
She thought of her poor Franz lying on the floor.
It made her sad and angry.
Coppelius had no more breathed life into a doll than she could make Franz fall in love with her.
Swanilla began picking up more and more objects, throwing them left and right.
A train set, a glass ornament, a puppet theatre.
She was nearly crazy.
Please stop!
You're hurting me, he cried, trying to escape.
I must have done something wrong.
The old man ran around the room dodging hammers, candles and whatever else Swanilda could find to throw at him.
Coppelius ran to the closet to hide.
At that moment, Franz opened his eyes.
Where am I?
What happened?
Franz was now sitting up, rubbing his eyes.
"'Swanilda, is that you?'
"'Yes, my dear Franz, it is me,' she said softly.
"'Let's get out of this place before the old toymaker returns.'
"'But I don't understand.
Where is Coppelia?'
"'Swanilda put her arm around him to support his weight.
"'They quickly left the house as Swanilda explained everything.'
Franz looked up at the window from the spot where he had spent so long pining for his Coppelia.
There he saw the old toy maker holding the life-sized doll in his arms, crying onto her shoulder.
Franz felt bad for a minute, but then remembered how Coppelias had tricked them all, pretending he had daughter.
No, this man didn't deserve sympathy.
Swanilda and Franz spent the next few hours together talking about their adventure.
Franz thought Swanilda was brave to fool the toy maker.
The more time they spent together, the more they fell in love.
Within weeks, the couple was married in the village, but they celebrated with all their friends.
The shy Franz and the bold Swanilda made a wonderful pair and lived a grand life together.
