narratorAUSTRALIA Volume Three

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  The old man smiled as he usually did when all the parents who had bought his ‘special’ book that week all arrived at the same time with their purchases waved before them, demanding to know what sorcery the old man was up to. There were Sally and Peter’s parents, and also the parents of Jodie, the little girl who wanted a book about fairies.

  Jodie’s parents were always too busy fighting and yelling to ever read to her. So she read the book her father bought from the old man alone, wishing she was in the land of fairies on the cover, and that one of the fairies would grant her a wish of stopping her mother and father screaming at each other.

  Of course the next morning her parents found her room all covered in fairy dust and toadstools – but Jodie was missing. Wisps of sparkles flew around the room and stopped for a moment, then a small ‘ping’ would sound out, and they would swoop around the room again. Then they found the cover of the book where all the fairies and gnomes were gathered around Jodie, who was dressed as a fairy with pink wings.

  ‘Quiet, quiet please, ladies and gentlemen. I will give you the answer you seek.’

  Jodie’s very large father leant over the counter and threatened him.

  ‘If you’ve taken them I’ll ... we’ll ...’

  The old man held up his hands. ‘Your children can be back tomorrow morning. Do you at least have any idea why they disappeared? I told you all that the book can change lives. You ... all of you ... have to change your lives for your children’s sake ... for all your sake. All of your children were unhappy – and indeed so were all of you.’

  ‘I don’t understand. Explain it a little more clearly.’ Sally’s mother settled everyone down to hear the old man’s explanation.

  ‘You two – Sally’s parents. The way you two waste your life in a haze of wine will one day, and not too soon, end your days. You do want to see Sally’s children one day, don’t you?’

  ‘Of ... of course.’ Sally’s parents held each other. The old man smiled.

  ‘Then seek help. Stop the drinking. It will be hard, I know. But promise me this now and when you wake in the morning, you will again be a happy family.’ The couple smiled sheepishly and promised. The old man turned his attention to Peter’s parents.

  ‘And you two. Always busy, busy, too busy for Peter. One day when he grows up he will be too busy for you. Promise to give him more love and time and tomorrow morning you will all be happy.’ Peter’s parents nodded and kissed each other. Jodie’s parents then knew what was coming.

  ‘And how do you expect Jodie to grow up a happy confident girl if all she hears are you two snarling and fighting each other? Seek counselling and try to sort out why you fight so much. If need be and you part, but I indeed hope not, at least Jodie will have two happy parents.’

  Jodie’s parents gave each other a hug. The old man grinned as all of the parents mingled and hugged each other. Jodie’s mother gave the old man a quizzical look.

  ‘But why can’t they be there when we get home? You understand we are frightened by the unreality of this magic. Who is behind it?’

  The old man shook his head. ‘They are safe and happy in the land of dreams while you have time to question your future commitment to what I have told you. Never question the children about where they have been. This is no magic or a sorcerer’s game of charades. I warn you that if you abstain from your promise, the children will return to the book of dreams forever. Now please go as I have work to do.’

  Regretfully, the parents left the shop, and as the little bell tinkled behind them, Sally’s mother turned to return for a question. She let out a small cry of alarm.

  ‘The shop’s gone ... it ... it’s just vanished.’

  They all turned to see that indeed the little old man’s book shop was no more and in its place was a little cake shop.