Pittsburgh Dispatch in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Lemon Tree and the River Laborer’s Hope

A poor river digger Fringuello tends a tiny lemon tree grown from a slip and saved pennies for a large pot. His daughter Lizina thrives as the tree bears seven lemons, binding their fragile happiness to the fruit amid drought, hunger, and hard labor near Florence. Cecco, a suitor from the village, goes to military service, promising to return to marry her, while the father contemplates an uncertain future for them all.