Introduction

While I was reading the story of Federigo and Monna Giovanna from The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio, I asked myself: how deep can love really be? Sometimes, no matter how rich or good-looking you are, the person you love still won’t notice you. This story reminded me that true love doesn’t always get returned, but it can still be real and meaningful. It also shows that being kind is more important than having money.

Summary

Federigo was once a rich man, but he lost all his money trying to get the attention of Monna Giovanna. No matter what he did, she didn’t seem to care. In the end, the only thing he had left was his pet falcon—a very special bird.
One day, Monna went to visit him. Her son was very sick and asked for Federigo’s falcon. But Federigo didn’t know this. Since he had nothing to serve her, he cooked the falcon and served it for lunch. When Monna finally told him why she came, the bird was already gone. She was very touched by his kindness. After her son died, Monna chose to marry Federigo—not for his money, but because of his good heart.

Analysis

For me, the story is about sacrifice and real love—the kind of love that doesn’t need anything in return. Federigo showed that even if someone doesn’t love you back, you can still be kind and respectful. He had nothing left, but he still gave the best he had.

I also saw how the characters changed. Federigo used to spend all his money just to impress Monna, but in the end, he became more humble and sincere. Monna, who didn’t care about him before, learned to see what really matters in a person—not money, but kindness. Their story shows that true love is not about money or looks, but about the heart.

The falcon is also very important in the story. It’s not just a bird—it’s the only treasure Federigo had left. When he cooked it, he didn’t know that it was the thing Monna came for. That’s the ironic part: the thing she needed was already gone because of his goodness. But that’s also the reason she saw how good and loving he really was.

Personal Reaction

I really liked this story. Nowadays, it’s rare to find people who love without expecting something back. Many people only care about money, fame, or looks. But this story reminds us that what truly matters is being kind, honest, and loving. Even if the story was sad in some parts, the ending was beautiful—not because of money, but because of a good and loving heart.

Conclusion

At the end of the story, it shows that true love is not measured by money or status in life. Kindness, honesty, and sacrifice are more important than material things. The story of Federigo and Monna reminds us that sometimes, love comes in ways we don’t expect, and it happens when we love truly and give with all our heart. That’s why, even today, this story still matters.