In days when Italy is absorbed by far more complex debates, a protagonist in Gargallo - a small hillside town in the Novara province - is making his voice heard without saying a word. His name is Marcello, a sweet four-year-old donkey originally from Valsesia, and his only "flaw" seems to be braying a bit too enthusiastically. Arriving in the village near Borgomanero after being adopted by a local family, he found a welcoming meadow and a peaceful daily routine. His menu of carrots, fennel, and apples quickly won the hearts of dozens of children and passersby. However, his noisy soundtrack pushed some exasperated residents to file a formal complaint with the municipality, demanding a decisive intervention to remove the animal and restore the peace. The clash quickly bypassed institutional channels, igniting social networks and national television talk shows. The response from the quadruped’s supporters was swift: on October 8, an online petition with the unequivocal title "Marcello must stay in Gargallo!" was launched, surpassing an impressive 32,000 signatures in just a few weeks. The promoters’ goal is not to ignore the neighborhood’s legitimate complaints, but to find a compromise that protects both the animal’s welfare and the citizens’ peace of mind. The story has attracted cameras from major television networks, even leading to a proposal, discussed on state broadcaster Rai1, to find Marcello a companion to soothe his loneliness. The fate of the famous little donkey will be decided by local authorities on November 7. Among the solutions being considered, aside from relocation, is the adoption of measures to mitigate the noise, perhaps by offering him some much-needed company.