The
Parsley Parcel
(Shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Award 1995)
Freya
is a chime child, inheriting the spirit of the woodland and proving to be
the salt of the earth, but she is no wimpy gorgio girl. She has all the
cunning and determination of her grandmother, who has taught her the old
magic ways. Freya is sent to Aunt Emma's posh house to work some very special
magic. She rescues a magpie, much to Aunt Emma's disgust, The skills of
both of them are tested,in the making of the magic.
"I
do not want to go!" I am Freya, and my hair is black, and nearly as wild
as me.
I am the spirit of the woodland, and the salt of the earth...or so my great-gran
says, but most of all, I am me, and I do not want to go!
'Great-gran, do you hear me? I really don't want to go!'
Great-gran, peered down at me, from her seat high up in the vardo. Tashar,
my brother, had made it for her specially, just so she could have the very
best bossy boots view. It was a small chair, and it only just fitted, but
from there, Great-gran, could rule our Romany world.
'Stop that hollering. Do you think, that I have taught you all my magic, for
nothing child? Now, let us be sure of something, you will do, exactly as you
are told.'
I stood, all silent sullen. I was happy here, close by the ancient oaks, and
free to play under the clear blue sky. Why should I live in a sticky brick
house, like the gorgios do. Why should I?
