Rafa the Rooster Roams Around Rome - A Children's Story

 

Rafa the Rooster Roams Around Rome

High on a rooftop near a bustling piazza, with the bells of churches ringing and the scent of espresso in the air, stood a proud little rooster named Rafa. He wasn’t an ordinary rooster—oh no! Rafa was the Roaming Rooster of Rome, and he loved nothing more than showing curious kids the ancient wonders of his hometown.

With feathers as red as Roman bricks and a comb that stuck up like a crown, Rafa greeted every morning with a loud and cheerful:

“Cock-a-doodle-ciao! Welcome to Roma!”

One bright morning, two children named Emma and Luca stepped off their tour bus and looked around in awe. All around them were crumbling columns, marble statues, and buildings older than their great-grandparents’ great-grandparents.

“Where are we?” Emma asked.

“Is this a museum?” Luca whispered.

Just then, Rafa swooped down from the rooftop and landed on a stone ledge with a proud flap of his wings.

“Not a museum, this is Rome! The Eternal City!” he declared.

“Did that rooster just talk?” Emma asked, eyes wide.

“I certainly did,” Rafa said with a wink. “And I’ll be your guide today. Ready to roam?”

“Yes, please!” the children said in unison.

Rafa flapped his wings and led them to a giant oval arena made of stone.

“This is the Colosseum,” he said. “Nearly 2,000 years ago, over 50,000 people would sit right here to watch gladiators battle, lions roar, and chariots race!”

“Did you ever fight in it?” Luca joked.

“I’m more of a commentator,” Rafa chuckled. “But it’s the most famous stadium in the world, and it's still standing!”

Next, they wandered down the Roman Forum, once the heart of ancient Rome.

“These ruins used to be temples, markets, and meeting places,” Rafa explained. “It’s where Julius Caesar gave speeches, and people gathered to share news and vote.”

As they walked over ancient stones, Emma whispered, “It’s like walking through time.”

Then Rafa took them to a round temple with tall columns.

“This is the Pantheon,” he said proudly. “It’s over 1,800 years old and still has the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. And guess what? The top is open; rain falls right through!”

Luca looked up in wonder. “How is it still standing?”

“Roman engineering,” Rafa said. “They were geniuses!”

They passed lively piazzas with bubbling fountains and artists painting colorful scenes. They paused at Piazza Navona, where a musician played violin beside a sparkling fountain filled with sculptures of gods and sea creatures.

“Rome is full of art,” Rafa said. “Even the fountains are masterpieces!”

Next stop? Trevi Fountain.

“This is the most famous fountain in Rome,” Rafa announced. “Legend says if you toss a coin over your shoulder into the water, you’ll return to Rome someday.”

Emma tossed in a coin and made a wish. “I want to come back tomorrow!”

Rafa grinned. “Rome has that effect on people.”

Then they walked down narrow, cobbled streets until they reached a grand staircase.

“This is the Spanish Steps,” Rafa said. “People come here to sit, snack, and snap pictures.”

“Do they lead anywhere?” Luca asked.

“They lead to memories,” Rafa said. “And a beautiful view at the top!”

The sun climbed higher, so Rafa guided them to a cozy café for a quick bite.

“You must try gelato,” he said, pecking at a sample spoon. “Rome has hundreds of flavors: hazelnut, pistachio, even tiramisu!”

The kids picked their favorites and followed Rafa across the river to Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, right inside Rome!

“That’s St. Peter’s Basilica,” Rafa said, pointing his beak. “It’s the biggest church on earth and filled with paintings, statues, and a dome so high it seems to touch heaven.”

They looked up at the dome and felt very small.

Back in Rome, Rafa showed them charming neighborhoods like Trastevere, where vines climbed up pink and yellow buildings and cats lounged on warm stone steps.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky orange and gold, Rafa led them to a quiet overlook where the whole city stretched out before them.

“Rome is more than ruins,” Rafa said softly. “It’s a city of stories, of emperors and artists, of faith and flavor. Every stone has a tale, and every day brings something new.”

Emma leaned on her brother’s shoulder. “I don’t want to leave.”

“You’ll always carry a piece of Rome in your heart,” Rafa said. “And if you threw your coin in the Trevi Fountain… well, let’s just say I’ll see you again.”

With a final flap of his wings and a proud “Cock-a-doodle-grazie!”, Rafa flew back to his rooftop, watching the Eternal City glow in the moonlight.

Poem to the Story:
Rafa the Rooster with feathers so bright,
Guides you through Rome from morning to night.
From fountains to forums, domes to delicious,
Rome is old, bold, and truly ambitious.
With gelato and gladiators, faith and fun,
The heart of the world under Italy’s sun.

💬 Thoughtful Questions for Kids and Parents:

1.     Why do people call Rome "The Eternal City"?

2.     If you visited Rome, what would you most want to see: the Colosseum, the Pantheon, or the Trevi Fountain?

3.     What do you think it would be like to live in a city filled with so much history?