The Sun and Moon, constant companions yet ever at odds, much like the washerwoman, Colombina, and the sweet baker who loves her, Perô. One lives by day, the other by night. These two Italian neighbors grew up side-by-side, everyone in their village thinking they would end up together. But how can a baker “covered in powdery clouds of flour” be with “a fine…washerwoman”? Perô, dreaming of his love, kept company only by the Moon, bakes and bakes as the rest of the village sleeps. He pours all this feeling into the delicious breads, tarts, cakes and all sweet things he bakes to make life better. Colombina, though, toils away during the day. She scrubs and scrubs, bleaching away her hopes for excitement and adventure as each day passes into night. What’s more, Colombina fears the night and so avoids dear Perô. Still, the baker pines for his childhood sweetheart, writing her letter after letter in hopes of turning her heart back toward him. Unfortunately, Perô’s skill lies in his baking, not his writing. He never actually tells Colombina how he feels. One day, while Perô sleeps, Paletino, the house-painter, comes to town. He is all life and color. Colombina is swept away at once, and has the vibrant Paletino paint her house. Next thing we know, she invites him inside. Perô notices the pair on their date, and his heart breaks. The couple decides to embark on a fun-filled holiday. While Colombina delights in the vividly colorful nature of her new life, she feels sorry for, and misses, the sweet Perô—if only he had let her know how he really felt. So, Perô becomes more dejected every day. In fact, Perô even closes the bakery “due to broken heart.” Soon, Colombina realizes that beautiful colors fade and you need more than the excitement of something new to make a satisfying life. She remembers her true self, and her true love, and heads home, alone. And together, Perô and Colombina finally enjoy both night and day, living happily ever after.