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Hello, I'm Mariam.
Welcome to Classic Stories.
Have you ever had two friends that you think would be perfect for each other, but they can't see it?
Well, I don't want to spoil today's story for you, but it's all about schemes and tricks and love.
Our story begins in Italy, in an old house where Hero lives with her father, Leonardo, and cousin, Beatrice.
Hero and Beatrice are very close, but they have very different personalities.
Beatrice is a bit older than Hero.
She is very funny, outspoken and is not interested in marriage.
Hero is more traditional and she does want to marry.
Leonardo finds out that his friend, Don Pedro,
is returning triumphant from a war and is coming to stay at the house with some other soldiers,
Claudio, Benedict and Don Pedro's strange brother, Don John.
When the soldiers arrive, Claudio immediately falls in love with Hero and tells his friend, Benedict.
Benedict knows Beatrice from a long time ago, but they don't get on.
They argue and insult each other, but they seem to enjoy trading insults.
At a ball to celebrate the end of the war,