The Great Maltese Chameleon Caper of Ħal Qormi

Ħal Qormi’s Unlikely Hero

There was something peculiar about the quaint town of Ħal Qormi, and it wasn’t just the mouth-watering smell of freshly baked ħobż biż-żejt that wafted through its winding streets. No, Ħal Qormi had a new local celebrity, and it wasn’t a person at all—it was Carmelo, the chameleon, known for his uncanny ability to turn the color of the most famous Maltese dishes, from the golden hues of a crispy pastizz to the rich browns of a succulent rabbit stew.

The Unexpected Mix-Up at the Ġgantija Temples

One sunny afternoon, as tourists on Gozo flocked to the ancient Ġgantija Temples, Carmelo the chameleon had inadvertently stowed away in the picnic basket of a visiting group from Valletta. Upon discovery, chaos ensued. But Carmelo, taking on the shades of the megalithic stones, was a spectacle for sore eyes. Cameras flashed, and hashtags flew — #CarmeloTheChameleon became an overnight internet sensation.

Rise to Fame

Word of Carmelo’s unique talent spread across the Maltese Islands like wildfire. Offers poured in from restaurants in Mdina wanting to use his camouflaging act as dinner entertainment. “Imagine, a chameleon changing colors with each course,” they said, “Dinner and a show, mela!”

A Surprise Plot Twist: The Missing Mascot of Marsaxlokk

But then, as quickly as his fame began, Carmelo vanished, right before the annual Marsaxlokk Fish Festival. Signs featuring his iconic kaleidoscope of colors were plastered all over, reading “Have you seen this chameleon?” The town was a mix of concern and conspiracy theories. “Did he go on holiday or get kidnapped?” people murmured over their ftiras.

A Turn of Events

“I’ve seen Carmelo!” exclaimed a fisherman, pointing to his boat. “He turned himself into the color of a lampuki pie right before my eyes!”

Yet, without proof, the tale was as good as an old fisherman’s yarn. That was until Carmelo was spotted on TikTok, joining the ranks of Maltese influencers, lip-syncing to a remix of the traditional għana.

The Ultimate Twist: The Social Media Scandal

Carmelo’s TikTok fame skyrocketed, but a dramatic turn awaited. A rival influencer, a parrot named Polly, who was notorious for her ‘mimic the Malteser’ challenge, claimed Carmelo was using filters to enhance his colors. #FilteredCarmelo became a trending topic, causing a nationwide split: Team Carmelo or Team Polly?

An Interview with a Chameleon

“Mela, what’s all this nonsense? Uwejja, I’m all natural!” Carmelo declared in an exclusive interview with ‘Times of Mela’. “I challenge Polly to a live ‘color-off’ at the Mdina Dungeons!”

To everyone’s surprise, Polly accepted. The showdown was set for a glitzy Sunday, and it was to be streamed across every Maltese media platform. Pastizzi vendors set up stalls, hobz biz-zeit was in abundance, and the air was thick with anticipation.

The Showdown at Mdina

The dungeons were packed. An airhorn sounded, and Polly began mimicking the colors of Malta’s flag, a good start. But when it was Carmelo’s turn, he simply winked, turned the exact shade of a twistees packet, and the crowd lost it! They knew Carmelo was the real deal, an icon of the Maltese ability to adapt and stand out.

The Final Word

As the celebrations continued into the night, the ‘Times of Mela’ team cornered Polly for a comment. She squawked, “Kollox ma jfissirx you win some, you lose some, right?” Then, with a quick ruffle of her feathers, she conceded, “But I’ve got to hand it to Carmelo, he’s the true color of Malta.”

As the festivities fizzled out, Carmelo was last seen posing for selfies with his fans, while Polly was spotted sneaking in to the pastizzi queue, clearly contemplating her next viral challenge. The story of Ħal Qormi’s unlikely hero was one for the books, serving as a reminder that sometimes the most enchanting stories can be found in the unlikeliest of places—or creatures, mela!