La Divina Commedia di Dante

The story opens with a nameless traveler who finds himself midway through life's path, suddenly lost in a dark, tangled forest. Fear grips him as the familiar road vanishes, and the oppressive woods seem more terrifying than death itself. As dawn breaks, three fierce beasts—a leopard, a lion, and a ravenous she‑wolf—block his way, each embodying different sins and obstacles. Overwhelmed, he cries out for help, hoping for a guide to lead him out of the wilderness.

A figure emerges from the shadows, introducing himself as a wise poet from antiquity, offering his counsel and a promise of safe passage. He explains that the only route to redemption lies through a descent into the realms beyond mortal life, beginning with the fiery depths of the underworld. Together they set out toward a distant mountain that symbolizes hope and spiritual ascent. Listeners are invited to follow this allegorical journey, exploring themes of fear, moral choice, and the search for meaning.