This is the children’s book I wrote for my daughter before she was even conceived. 20 chapters of my own childhood memories and impressions. People seem to love it. One day I may edit it and publish.  But not just yet. Not just yet.

Chapter 1

Yes, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Yes what? said the owl.
Yes, I would like to be an owl when I’m big, said the little girl.
Well, that’s too bad, said the owl. You are not going to be an owl when you are big.
Hey! said the little girl. I am going to be an owl! I want to.
You do have big eyes, said the owl. That’s something. But you have no wings.
Yes, that’s true, said the little girl. Is that going to be a problem?
Well... Maybe not, said the owl.
Good! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. I’m going to be an owl then.
Ok, said the owl.
Ok, said the little girl. Shall we go have some lunch now? I’m kind of hungry. Are you hungry?
I like mice, said the owl.
Me too, said the little girl. They are so cute.
I mean I like to eat mice, said the owl.
No! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
What do you mean, no? said the owl.
I don’t want to eat mice, said the little girl.
If you want to be an owl you have to eat mice, said the owl.
Mice are nice, said the little girl. Do I really have to eat them?
Well… Maybe not, said the owl.
Good! said the little girl. Do you like ice-cream?
Ice-cream’s good! said the owl.
Oh yeah! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Oh yeah! said the owl.

Chapter 2

I love Mom, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I love Mom, too, said the owl.
No one is nicer than Mom, said the little girl. No one is softer that Mom. No one smells better.
Mom’s nice, said the owl. She has stars in her eyes. She has the most tender voice.
Oh yeah! said the little girl. She does have the most tender voice. And I love it when she smiles.
I love when Mom laughs, said the owl. When Mom laughs, I want to laugh, too.
Mom’s kisses are like flowers, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. She has such beautiful hands, that I want to kiss them all the time.
I want to kiss Mom all the time and hug her all the time, said the owl.
There is sunshine around Mom, said the little girl. Even at night.
Mom shines all right! said the owl. Sometimes it’s sunshine, sometimes it’s moonshine!
Mom is sweet like honey, said the little girl.
No! said the owl. Mom is way sweeter than honey. She is sweeter than the sweetest honey!
My Mom is the best! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
My Mom is the best, too! said the owl.

Chapter 3

I like long black hair, said the neighbour’s boy.
I have long black hair, said the little girl with long hair and big eyes.
I can see that, said the neighbour’s boy.
Do you like me then? said the little girl.
Maybe, said the neighbour’s boy.
Ok, said the little girl. When will you know for sure?
I don’t know, said the neighbour’s boy. Let me think about it.
And? said the little girl. Do you know already?
No, not yet, said the neighbour’s  boy. And I don’t like to think too long.
What do you like to do then? said the little girl with long hair and big eyes.
I like to play, said the neighbour’s boy.
I like to play, too, said the little girl. I like to play with frogs, and butterflies and pearls.
What do you do with pearls? said the neighbour’s boy.
I like to put them in my hair, said the little girl.
It’s handy to have long black hair, said the neighbour’s boy. You can do a lot with it. I like it.
Yes, said the little girl. But short hair is nice, too. Especially when butterflies come and sit on it.
I don’t like short hair, said the neighbour’s boy.
Will you like me when I cut my hair short? said the little girl with long hair and big eyes.
No! said the neighbour’s boy.
Why not? said the little girl.
It will not be you anymore, said the neighbour’s boy.
It will be me, said the little girl. Me with short hair.
I guess, said the neighbour’s boy.
Ok, said the little girl.
We can still play together, right? said the neighbour’s boy. I like to play with frogs and butterflies, too.
Sure, said the little girl with long black hair. Playing together is fun.

Chapter 4

It’s Sunday, said Mother. Let’s stay home and bake cakes.
Yuppie!! said the little girl with long hair and big eyes. Yuppie! Cakes!
Big cakes or small cakes? said Mother.
Big cakes, small cakes and medium cakes! said the little girl.
Ok, said Mother. Which flavours?
Big chocolate cakes with whipped cream frosting, said the little girl. Very big chocolate cakes! With whipped cream frosting.
Ok! What else? said Mother.
Small cakes with coloured frosting, said the little girl.
Which colour then? said Mother.
Lavender, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Small cakes with lavender frosting with golden candy beads on top.
Nice! said Mother. I like that. And the medium ones?
With meringue and raspberries, said the little girl.
Hmm! said Mother.
Do we have matches? said the little girl.
What for? said Mother.
Why, to light the oven, said the little girl.
Oh yes, we do, said Mother. We’ll light the oven in no time.
Do we have flour? said the little girl with long hair and big eyes.
Yes, we do, said Mother. We have flour and chocolate and other things we need to bake cakes with.
Yuppie! said the little girl.
This is going to be a wonderful Sunday! said Mother.
Oh yeah! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. I like Sundays.
Oh yeah! said Mother.
Chapter 5

I want to find love, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Find love? said the little chick.
Mom found love, said the little girl. Grandma found love. I want to find some too.
I found love already, said the little chick.
Really? said the little girl.
Yes, said the little chick.
Who is it? said the little girl.
It’s this other chick, said the little chick.

How do you know it’s love? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I know, said the little chick.
But how? said the little girl.
I just know, said the little chick. I know because I think about him all the time.
Is that a sure sign? said the little girl.
Absolutely, said the little chick. I think about him all the time. I like thinking about him all the time.
Why? said the little girl.
Because when I think about him, I feel good, said the little chick.
How good? said the little girl.
Very good, said the little chick. I feel so good that it makes me smile.
You are not smiling now, said the little girl.
I am smiling, said the little chick. On the inside.
Ah, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. And do you think about him when you dig worms?
Yes, said the little chick. I think about him when I dig worms. And I think about him when I walk around in the grass.
Do you think about him when you look at the clouds? said the little girl.
Yes, said the little chick. I like thinking about him when I look at the clouds.
Do you think about him before you go to sleep? said the little girl.
Yes, said the little chick. And when I wake up.

Do you feel butterflies in your stomach? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I don’t eat butterflies, said the little chick.
No, said the little girl. I mean do you feel as if there were butterflies flying around in your stomach?
Ah, said the little chick. Butterflies. Yes! I feel them. And then my heart grows big, big, very big and then it goes bang bang bang bang!
Ah, said the little girl. Then it is love!
Yeah, said the little chick.

Is he nice? said the little girl.
He is very nice, said the little chick.
What is nice about him? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I don’t know, said the little chick. Everything.
Like every everything? said the little girl.
Everything! said the little chick. When I see him, I feel like jumping around and twitting.
I’d like to feel like jumping around and twitting, said the little girl.
Who wouldn’t? said the little chick.

Do you like talking to him? said the little girl.
I love talking to him, said the little chick. When I talk to him, it’s always fun. He always makes me laugh.
Are you sad when you can’t talk to him? said the little girl.
No, said the little chick. I can still see him. Or I can think about him.
Cool! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Sometimes when he’s around I feel like singing, too, said the little chick.
Singing what? said the little girl. Like an opera song?
Any song, said the little chick.
A sad song or a happy song? said the little girl.
Any song, really, said the little chick. Any good song.
Nice! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Yep! said the little chick.

Chapter 6

I feel sad, said the little sheep.
Why? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I don’t know, said the little sheep.
Is there anything wrong with grass? said the little girl.
No, said the little sheep. Grass is all right.
Anything wrong with water? said the little girl.
No, said the little sheep. Water is just fine.
Are you unwell? said the little girl.
No, I am well, said the little sheep.
Can you walk around easily here? said the little girl. Maybe your feet are tired?
No, my feet are fine, said the little sheep. I can walk around nicely.
Has something happened that upset you? said the little girl.
No, nothing has happened, said the little sheep.
Do you miss somebody? said the little girl.
No, not really, said the little sheep.
What’s the matter then? said the little girl.
Nothing, said the little sheep. I just feel sad.
But why? said the little girl with long hair and big eyes.
I don’t know why, said the little sheep. I just know that I feel sad, very sad. Maybe it’s because the universe is so big.
Oh, said the little girl.
Is it Ok that I feel sad? said the little sheep.
Of course it’s Ok, said the little girl. Sometimes I feel sad, too. It passes.
It does? said the little sheep.
Sure, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Would you like me to stay with you? Maybe you’ll feel better then.
Yes, thank you, said the little sheep. That would be nice.
Your hair looks very beautiful today, said the little girl.
Thank you, said the little sheep.
It always looks beautiful, said the little girl. But today it is particularly fluffy and white.
Thank you. Thank you very much, said the little sheep.
Oh, you’re so cute! said the little girl. Cute like a little cloud. White fluffy little cloud.
Oh, thank you, said the little sheep.
Shall I make us a cup of tea? said the little girl. What kind of tea do you like?
Green tea would be nice, said the little sheep. It’s good for rehydration.
Lovely, said the little girl. I’ll have some green tea, too. Rehydration is important.

Chapter 7

Hi grandpa, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Hi sweetie, said the old colonel.
I was thinking, said the little girl.
What were you thinking, little bunny? said the old colonel.
What would you like for your birthday present? said the little girl.
What did you have in mind? said the old colonel.
Oh, a couple of things, said the little girl. I could play something on piano for you.
Marvellous! said the old colonel. Oh, marvellous! I’d like that very much.
Or I could dance ballet, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Ballet? said the old colonel. Can you dance ballet?
No, not yet, said the little girl. But I could learn how to dance ballet for you.
Yes, you could, said the old colonel. You could learn how to dance ballet. That is, if you would like to.
No, grandpa, said the little girl. If you would like me to!
Oh, sweetie, said the old colonel. You don’t have to learn how to dance ballet only for me. I just love the way you play piano. Especially that Tchaikovsky piece.
Do you mean The Sick Doll? said the little girl.
Yes, said the old colonel. The Sick Doll! Marvellous!
But grandpa, said the little girl. I don’t want to play The Sick Doll for your birthday. It’s too sad.
Why is it sad? said the old colonel.
Because it’s about a sick doll, grandpa, said the little girl. And it sounds sad, too.
But the doll gets better, doesn’t she? said the old colonel.
No grandpa, said the little girl. The other piece I play is called The Doll’s Burial! She does not get better.
I am sure she does, sweetie, said the old colonel. I am sure she does.
I always feel a bit sick in my stomach when I play it, said the little girl. Because I know that the sick doll dies.
I am sure she doesn’t die, said the old colonel. I am sure she gets better.
But grandpa! said the little girl.
I am sure the sick doll get’s better, said the old colonel. I am sure The Doll’s Burial is about another doll.
Which one? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I don’t know, honey, said the old colonel. Some other doll. We don’t know her.
But who? said the little girl.
I don’t know, said the old colonel. Maybe The Doll’s Burial is about the great great great grandmother of the sick doll. Great great great great grandmother.
It’s still kind of sad, said the little girl.
Of course it is, honey, said the old colonel. Of course, it is. But I am sure that the sick doll from The Sick Doll gets better. I’m sure she’s doing very well.
Sure, grandpa? said the little girl.
Quite sure, said the old colonel. Quite sure. But if you doubt, you can always dance some ballet for me.
I would have to learn how to dance ballet first, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Marvellous, said the old colonel.
Yeah, I could learn some ballet, said the little girl. Oh, cool! I will get to wear those fluffy little ballet skirts then, said the little girl.
Tutu skirts! Said the old colonel. Tutus!
Tutus! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Cool!
Marvelous, said the old colonel. Marvellous!

Chapter 8

Hi! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Oh, said the hedgehog. Hi!
I’ve seen you around, said the little girl.
I’ve been around, said the hedgehog.
That’s funny, said the little girl.
Uhu, said the hedgehog.
I meant I’ve seen you around before, said the little girl. But we never spoke.
I know, said the hedgehog.
But we are speaking now, said the little girl.
Uhu, said the hedgehog. It looks like we are.
I am sorry, said the little girl.
What for? said the hedgehog.
I am sorry I didn’t speak to you before, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
It’s Ok, said the hedgehog. I didn’t speak to you before, neither.
Indeed, you didn’t, said the little girl. But I always wanted to speak to you.
Why didn’t you then? said the hedgehog.
Well…, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Yeah? said the hedgehog.
I was not sure you would like me, said the little girl.
Why? said the hedgehog. Why did you think I wouldn’t like you?
I am sorry, said the little girl. I wish I spoke to you before. But I was kind of afraid.
Afraid of what? said the hedgehog.
Afraid of you, said the little girl. A little bit.
Why? said the hedgehog. What’s there to be afraid of?
Nothing, said the little girl. Nothing at all.
Why were you afraid then? said the hedgehog.
I was just afraid that you wouldn’t want me to talk to you, said the little girl. You are so beautiful, you know! And you have spikes.
My spikes are not sharp, said the hedgehog. You can touch them if you like.
No, it’s Ok, said the little girl.
Come on! said the hedgehog. Touch them! You’ll see for yourself that they are not sharp.
Oh! said the little girl. They are not sharp at all! They are wonderful! Can I touch them again?
Sure, said the hedgehog. You see? They look sharp, but they are not. And I can’t help that I’m beautiful.
I know, said the little girl. But you are not just beautiful. You are too beautiful. And mysterious. And I was mistaken about your spikes. That’s why I was so afraid.
That’s funny, said the hedgehog.
Funny? said the little girl.
I’ve see you around too, said the hedgehog. But I didn’t talk to you, neither.
Were you afraid of me, too? said the little girl.
No, I was not afraid of you, said the hedgehog. I thought you were very nice.
Really? said the little girl. You thought I was nice?
Yes, said the hedgehog. I thought you were nice and sweet and funny.
Why didn’t you talk to me then? said the little girl.
I thought that you wouldn’t like that, said the hedgehog.
Oh, said the little girl. Why did you think that?
You talked to everybody but me, said the hedgehog. So I thought that I am not your cup of tea.
Not my cup of tea? said the little girl. What does that mean?
You didn’t think we could be friends, said the hedgehog. I thought you didn’t.
Oh, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. But you are my cup of tea! You are very much my cup of tea. You are everybody’s cup of tea, actually.
If they like tea, of course, said the hedgehog. Some like coffee better.
Yes, said the little girl. And some like hot chocolate. My grandpa, for instance.
Your grandpa likes hot chocolate? said the hedgehog. My grandpa likes cognac.
My grandma likes cognac, too, said the little girl. She says it reminds her of Armenian summer.
What’s an Armenian summer? said the hedgehog.
It’s when it’s warm and sunny and everybody likes each other, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. And everybody smiles and laughs.
That’s the kind of summer we are having now, said the hedgehog.
But it’s winter now! said the little girl.
It is winter, said the hedgehog. But it feels like summer, doesn’t it?
Yes, it does, said the little girl. It does feel like summer.

Chapter 9

What are you doing? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Nothing, said the sunflower. I am just standing here enjoying the sun.
But the weather is cloudy today, said the little girl.
It is pretty cloudy, indeed, said the sunflower.
There is only a little bit of sun shining through over there, between those two big clouds, said the little girl.
Aha! said the sunflower. I am standing here enjoying it.
Is that why they call you sunflower? said the little girl. Is it because you always enjoy the sun? Even when it's not there?
You might not always see the sun, said the sunflower. But trust me, the sun is always there.
I know it’s there somewhere! said the little girl. Somewhere behind the clouds.
Aha, said the sunflower. If the clouds are thin, it shines right through them. If the clouds are thick, it shines behind them. But it's always there. Shining!
I like the way you talk about the sun, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. It's nice.
Thank you, said the sunflower.
Now when I look at grey clouds, I will think of the sun shining behind them, said the little girl. And I will think of you telling me about it.
Thank you, said the sunflower. It’s very kind of you.
It's nice that they call you sunflower, said the little girl. I wish they called me sun girl.
But I am a sunflower, whether they call me that or not, said the sunflower. Even if they don’t call you sun girl, you can still be one, you know.
Do you think I can? said the little girl.
Oh, I most definitely do! said the sunflower. I think you have a talent for being a sun girl. And trust me, sunflowers can tell!
Oh, that's so cool! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. I am going to be a sun girl! Thank you!
You are most welcome, said the sunflower. And thank you, too!

Chapter 10

What’s up? said the Pole Star.
Huh? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
How are you doing? said the Pole Star.
Are you talking to me? said the little girl.
Yes, said the Pole Star. Are you surprised?
I am, said the little girl. I didn’t know that stars could talk.
Oh, yes, said the Pole Star. Stars can talk.
I’ve never heard a star talk, said the little girl.
Yeah, we don’t always feel like it, said the Pole Star.
I see, said the little girl. Me, I talk a lot.
I know, said the Pole Star. I’ve been observing you for some time now.
I thought people were observing stars, said the little girl. I didn’t know that stars were observing people, too.
Yes, we do, said the Polar Star. We observe people as much as they observe us.
You are so shiny, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Thanks, said the Polar Star. I am doing my best.
Is it cold there, where you are? said the little girl.
No, I feel warm, said the Polar Star. Is it cold there where you are?
Sometimes it’s cold, said the little girl. Sometimes it’s warm. Sometimes it’s spring.
I see, said the Polar Star.
Why were you observing me? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I don’t know, said the Polar Star. Because you are so far. And I don’t know anything about you.
I was thinking the same way about you, said the little girl. I don’t know anything about you, except that you are far from here.
Yes, said the Polar Star. I know what you mean.
You do? said the little girl.
Yes, said the Pole Star. Sometimes, when I feel lonely, I am looking at you and wondering who you are and what you are doing there.
I am a girl, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. And usually I am not doing much. And you?
I am a star, said the Polar Star. The Polar Star.
And what are you doing? said the little girl.
I am not doing much, neither, said the Polar Star. Usually.
I am pretty good at not doing much, said the little girl.
You’d be surprised how good I am at not doing much, said the Polar Star.
Will you tell me everything you know about being a star and not doing much? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I will, said the Pole Star. Will you tell me everything you know about being a girl and not doing much?
Oh, I will! said the little girl. I will tell you everything I know.

Chapter 11

Let’s sail far away, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Far far far away from here.
We can do that, said the old colonel. You be the captain and I’ll be the sailor.
No, I can’t be the captain, said the little girl. I don’t know how to sail.
But sweetie, said the old colonel, we sailed together so often, I am sure you know how to sail by now.
I know how to sail, said the little girl. Just not that well. You be the captain and I’ll be the sailor.
Ok, sweetie, said the old colonel. Whatever you like. Whatever you like.
Shall we take Grandma with us? said the little girl.
Grandma? said the old colonel.
We need a cook, said the little girl.
I see your point, said the old colonel. We can take grandma. She can cook.
And we need to take the owl, said the little girl.
What for, sweetie? said the old colonel. Does the owl like to sail?
Yes, she likes to sail, said the little girl. I promised I would take her with us next time we sail.
Ok, said the old colonel. Sure. Then the owl comes along.
Shall we take Mom too? said the little girl.
But sweetie, said the old colonel. The boat is not that big. With grandma and the owl and the two of us on board, there will be no place left for Mom.
Oh, said the little girl.
Yeah, said the old colonel. I know.
But if we sail far far far away from here, then I’d like to have Mom with us, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Along with Grandma and the owl? said the old colonel.
Yes, said the little girl. Those two for sure. And Mom, too. For sure.
Well, well, said the old colonel.
Oh, I know, said the little girl. Let's sail away. But not far far far away. So we can get back home for dinner.
Hmm, said the old colonel. Dinner at home with Grandma and Mom?
And the owl! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I see your point, said the old colonel. Whatever you like, sweetie, whatever you like.

Chapter 12

Grandma, don’t you just love cherries? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Oh, dearie, I do, said grandmother. I like cherries a lot.
I think that red cherries are nicer than white ones, though, said the little girl.
What do you mean? said grandmother.
I think red cherries are sweeter than white cherries, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Oh, dearie, said grandmother. Cherries are cherries. Some are sweet, some are not. It’s not about the color, really. Or the size, or anything like that.
What is it about then? said the little girl. Is it about the cherry tree they grow on?
Oh, no, said grandmother. It’s not about the tree, neither. It’s just cherries that are ripe are sweet.  Those that are not ripe are still sour. But they’ll get there.
How? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I rather think it’s about the ripeness, dearie, said grandmother. You see,  some cherries - red or white, big or small - had enough time to ripe. Enough time and enough sun, enough nutrition, enough water, enough clean air.  That’s why they taste so sweet to you.
Maybe they had enough attention, too, said the little girl. Grandpa says, everyone needs attention.
Oh, I don’t know about that, dearie, said grandmother. Some need a lot of attention. Others don’t like attention. It depends, really.
So how do I know what it is exactly that cherries need to get all ripe and sweet? said the little girl.
Oh, just watch them, baby, said grandmother. Be patient and watch and you’ll know what they really need to get absolutely wonderfully sweet.
I will? said the little girl.
You will, dearie, said grandmother. I promise.  Just be patient and watch and admire.
Admire? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Even if the cherries are sour?
Yeah! Sure! said grandmother. Even when the cherries are still sour. They’ll get there. Give it time. You’ll see that they’ll get there.
Ok, said the little girl. I know what to do, then.
What’s that, dearie? said grandmother.
I think I saw a cucumber in the garden today, that might need some time to get there, said the little girl. I am going to go give it some water and some time. And I am going to check if it needs anything else. Maybe some admiring.
Oh, that’s sweet of you, dearie, said grandmother. Well, I don’t know if admiring cucumbers comes easy, though. But I’m sure you’ll try your best.
Oh, I admire cucumbers, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Cucumbers are cool.
Cool? said grandmother. Hmm. Yes, they are. Cool they are. I can totally admire that.
I can totally admire that, too, said the little girl. Cucumbers!

Chapter 13

Mom! Mom, do you love me? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Off course, I do, baby, said mother.
Are you sure? said the little girl.
Off course, I’m sure, baby, said mother. I love you. I love you  a lot.
How much do you love me? said the little girl.
A lot, baby, said mother. I love you a lot.
But how much? said the little girl. As much as this garden is big?
No, honey, I love you more, said mother. I love you as much as the world is big.
Planet Earth? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. As much as our planet is big?
No, baby, as much as the universe is big, said mother. With all the planets in it.
And the stars? said the little girl.
All the planets and all the stars. And all the dust and all the rocks and all the little particles, said mother.
Which little particles? said the little girl.
All the particles in universe, said mother. Visible and invisible. Known and yet unknown.
That’s a lot, said the little girl.
Aha, it is, said mother. All the particles and all the forces.
What kind of forces? said the little girl.
All kinds of forces, said mother. There is a lot of stuff in the universe and a lot of forces.
Stuff, said the little girl. And forces. Like forces of nature? Why are you laughing, Mom?
You are a force of nature, said mother. You’re the strongest force of nature that I know.
I don’t think so, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Well, I know so, said mother.  Little girls. Ladies. Old ladies. That’s the strongest driving force  behind it all. Universe just isn’t the same without them.
Do you love me as much as you love universe? said the little girl.
Yes, said mother. No! I love you even more.
But you love me less when I’m not being good, said the little girl.
What? No, honey. No!  said mother. I love you just as much.
No you don’t! said the little girl. When I don’t behave well you’re upset with me. And then you love me less.
Oh, honey, no,  said mother. I love you just as much. I get upset sometimes, but that doesn’t mean I love you less. In fact, at the moments I get upset I love you so much that it hurts.
Why do you get upset then? said the little girl.
That’s why, said mother. I get upset because I love you. If I didn’t love you I wouldn’t care and then I wouldn’t get upset. Or emotional. I just wouldn’t care.
Hmm, said the little girl. So you always love me?
Always, baby. Always and ever and ever. And I’m not upset with you that often, am I?
No, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. But I am not behaving badly that often, neither, am I?
No, you’re not. said mother. You are a good kid.

Chapter 14

I’d love to live at the sea, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
The sea is lovely, said the grandmother.  Absolutely lovely!
It’s warm and foamy, said the little girl.
And deep and mysterious, said the grandmother.
And full of fish! said the little girl. Fish and plants and… other things like fish, but not fish.
I know what you mean, dearie, said the grandmother.  Sea life is completely wonderful.  And the sea itself is just magnificent.
Magnificent, said the little girl. Magnificent!
You got it, dearie. said the grandmother. Magnificent!  But it’s also big, too big, overwhelming, dangerous.
When it storms, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Oh wow! When it storms, you better run and hide, said the grandmother. And wait till it’s in a better mood again.
I’d love to live at the sea, said the little girl. On a sand beach. In a white house on a sand beach. At the sea.
What a lovely idea, said the grandmother. If you lived at the sea, I’d come and live with you. That is, if you wouldn’t mind.
No, I wouldn’t mind, said the little girl. Why would I mind? That big white house is too big for me alone.
Oh, that’s sweet, dearie, said the grandmother. Thank you. In the meantime we live here, and it’s not that bad here, neither.
No, it’s not bad here, said the little girl. It’s quite nice to live here. But you know where it’s great to live? You know?
Where, hon? said the grandmother.
In a house with a rooftop, said the little girl. A rooftop with little chimney houses on the rooftop.
Aha, said the grandmother. I know. Those cute little chimney houses.
Yeah, just like where Karlsson lives, said the little girl. Karlsson from my book. He lives on a rooftop. And he walks around on the roofs all day. Or he flies around, when he feels like it.
Aha, said the grandmother. That’s a good life.
Aha, said the little girl. Sitting on rooftops. Watching city lights.
Aha, said the grandmother. But Emil, for instance, lives on a farm in this beautiful village. How lovely is that?
Yeah! Yeah, Emil lives on a farm, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Oh, I wanna live on a farm! Oh! On a farm with Emil!
Yeah, I know what you mean, said the grandmother. That’s so much fun.
Did you grow up on a farm? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
No, I didn’t, said the grandmother. I was born in the mountains. With blue skies, white clouds, green grass and rich forests.  And peace.
Did you like it? said the little girl. Living in the mountains?
No, I didn’t like it, said the grandmother. I loved it! Mountains are so…. high. The only thing higher than mountains is… other mountains. And peace. I loved the peace and the quiet.
Oh! said the little girl. And Grandpa? Where did he grow up? He said it was hot and dry there. No grass.
Yeah, your grandfather comes from a place a lot like desert, said the grandmother. Beautiful!
No grass? said the little girl. Beautiful without grass?
Oh yeah, dearie, said the grandmother. Oh, it’s beautiful! Desert is so very beautiful. Red and hot during the day, and a sky full of stars at night. Billions and billions of stars all around you in the sky.
And peace? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
And peace, dearie, said the grandmother. And peace. Beautiful!

Chapter 15

I am going to great aunt’s place tonight! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Ah, that’s nice, said Father.
We are going to cook together, said the little girl.
What are you going to cook? said Father.
We are going to cook meat and vegetable stew, said the little girl. With potatoes.
Ah, said Father. Meat and vegetable stew is my favorite. Especially when great aunt makes it. Wow!
Yeah, said the little girl. We are going to put meat in it, potatoes, onions, peppers, beans, peas, eggplant and tomato’s.  And we are going to cook it!
Ah! said Father. It’s an amazing stew. It’s a great stew.
It’s delicious, said the little girl. We are going to cook tonight.
Okay, said Father. Save me a plate of that delicious stew, will ye?
I will, said little girl. I’ll save you a plate before I start eating the stew. Because after I start eating, nothing will be left to save.
Okay, said Father. Off course. I believe that.  When I was a kid, I used to stay over at great aunt’s and we used to cook together a lot. And I used to eat a lot!
Did you use to have sleepovers at great aunt’s? said the little girl.
Oh, yeah, said Father. All the time. She didn’t have many beds, so I slept on a mattress on the floor. Oh, it was great! Just great.
What did you cook? said the little girl.
Oh, we cooked red bean soup and chickpeas soup, said Father We grilled vegetables, we baked potatoes, we fried meat, we stirred sauces. We used herbs and spices. It was fun. It was always fun.
We cooked chickpeas soup last time I was at great aunt’s, said the little girl.
Sometimes we didn’t cook. Sometimes we ate bread and white cheese and tomatoes, said Father. It tasted great, too.
Everything tastes great at great aunt’s, said the little girl.
That’s true, honey, said Father. That’s very true. Everything tastes great at great aunt’s. Sometimes we didn’t cook. But mostly we did.
Do you know where everything is in great aunt’s kitchen? said the little girl. She knows where everything is, but I never find anything.
Yeah! Right! That’s the thing about great aunt’s kitchen, isn’t it? said Father. It smells fabulous in there. There is a lot of food. But it’s all around the place. Chaos! Total chaos without any system.
Chaos! Total chaos! said the little girl.
Although, maybe there is a system, we just don’t know it, said Father. Because she always finds everything she needs at the moment she needs it. But we never do. I never did.
I never do, neither, said the little girl. But great aunt knows where everything is.
She does, said Father. She always does.
Mom has this book where she writes down recipes, said the little girl. Great aunt doesn’t have a book. She says she never writes down anything.
I know! said Father. She just takes a bit of this, and a spoon of that, some of this, and a pitch of  that, and she stirs it, and then she stirs it some more and then she waits. And then suddenly she smiles and she says that food is ready.
And then she puts the whole pot right on the kitchen table! said the little girl.
Yeah! Bang on the table! said Father.
Bang! said little girl. I am allowed to take the first few spoons straight from the pot!
I was allowed, too! said Father. Oh, those first few bites tasted like nothing ever tasted before or ever will again.
Wow! said little girl. Delicious!
Delicious, said Father.
I am going to cook with great aunt tonight, said the little girl with long black hair and black eyes.
Save me a plate, ok? said Father.
I will, said the little girl.

Chapter 16

Daddy! Daddy! said little girl with long black hair and big eyes. Daddy!
What is it, baby? said Father. What’s the matter?
They are here!  said the little girl. They are huge! And they want… They are going to…
Who are you talking about, baby? said Father. Have you had a bad dream?
Bad people, daddy! Bad people and bad … things! said little girl. I’m so scared!
Oh, baby, said Father. You’ve just had a bad dream. It isn’t real.
It is real, daddy! said little girl.
I know it feels that way, baby, said Father. But it’s over now. Your nightmare is over. And I’m here with you, ok? I’m right here.
Nightmare? said little girl. What’s a nightmare?
Nightmare is a bad dream, said Father. It’s a bad dream that feels very real and you get scared.
Yes, I got scared, said little girl. Bad things! Bad people!
Well, that’s normal, baby, said Father. It’s very normal to get scared of bad things and bad people. Luckily these ones were only in your dream.
Are they gone now? said little girl.
Oh, yes, said Father.  You woke up and they all are gone! Just like that. Gone!
Are you sure? said the little girl. I don’t like bad things and bad people. I don’t want to see them again. I don’t want to.
Oh, baby, said Father. Nobody wants to. But... it’s life, baby. Life is made of good things and bad things. Some are real.  Others are only a dream. These were only a dream.
I wish all bad things in life were a nightmare, said the little girl. Then people would wake up from this nightmare and all the bad things would be gone.
Oh, baby! said Father. What a beautiful idea! I wish this were true. Yeah, if only it were true. A beautiful idea. But I’m afraid it doesn’t always work that way.
How does it work then? said little girl.
Well, baby, said Father, sometimes bad things in life just happen. You don’t want them to happen, but they do. They just do. Sometimes you can fix them. Mostly you can fix them. But sometimes you can’t fix them. That’s just the way it is.
How can I fix bad things? said little girl.
Oh, said Father. You stay positive. You work hard. You try to sort them out. Mostly they turn out just fine.
But you just said that sometimes bad things happen and you can’t fix them, said little girl.
Yes, baby, I’m afraid so, said Father. Sometimes bad things happen and you can’t fix them. And it’s ok. Just try to remember that bad things are part of life, too, baby. Part of life, just like the good things are.
Oh, said the little girl.
But those kind of bad things that you can’t fix don’t happen often, said Father. So you shouldn’t worry too much about it.
But what if they do happen? said the little girl. What if they happen and they are not a dream? I wake up and these bad things are still there. What do I do?
You keep your head high, said Father. You keep smiling. You keep being nice and friendly. You try to stay in a good place. That’s what you try and do.
Good place? said little girl. Where’s that?
It’s in your heart, baby, said Father. Right here. You stay in that good place in your heart. The good place where your kindness is. Your compassion. Your patience. Generosity. That’s what good people do. They stay in a good place.
And bad people are those who stay in a bad place? said little girl.
Yes, baby, I’m afraid so, said Father. Bad people are those who can’t find that good place in their heart anymore. They lose the good place. They just lose it and they can’t find back that good place in their heart.
Can I help bad people find the good place again? said little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Oh, my sweet  baby, said Father. I hope you can. I mean you should always try.
Try? How? said little girl.
You just stay put in the good place, said Father. You stay right where you are! And who knows, maybe when these people see that it’s just so much nicer to be there in a good place, they’ll try to come over to your side and find the good place back.
You think that will work? said the little girl.
There is a good chance it might work, said Father. A very good chance. It’s worth trying.
Good place, said the little girl.
That’s right, said Father. Good place.
Good place, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Good place, said Father. Sleep tight, baby. Sweet dreams.

Chapter 17

Excuse me! said the ant.
I beg your pardon? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
I said excuse me! said the ant. Would you please watch where you are going?
What? said the little girl.
You almost squashed me! said the ant. Walking around carelessly like that with those big feet of yours.
Oh, I’m sorry, said the little girl. I was just going about my business. I didn’t notice you.
Obviously! That’s why I’ve asked you to watch where you are going, said the ant. There might be others going about their business, too, you know. You don’t want to just squash anything that’s in your way, do you?
No, off course not. I certainly didn’t mean to squash or hurt you in any way, said the little girl. Are you ok?
I was ok, said the ant. Till now. Do you know what it feels like getting almost squashed? What a shock!
Oh, my apologies, said the little girl. I really hope you are ok now.
I woke up this morning, thinking it was going to be a good day, said the ant. Then I bumped into you. You and your feet. What a shock!
Oh, I didn’t mean to ruin your day, said the little girl. I didn’t mean to ruin anybody’s day, really.
If I got squashed it wouldn’t matter if you meant it or didn’t mean it, said the ant.
Yes, I know, said the little girl. I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do for you? To make it right?
Like what? said the ant.
Can I get you some breadcrumbs or some cookies? said the little girl.
No, thank you, said the ant. I don’t want your breadcrumbs. Or your cookies. Just watch where you are going next time!
I’m sorry got you upset, said the little girl. I didn’t mean to upset you. I really didn’t.
Well, are you surprised that I’m upset? said the ant. It was not a pleasant encounter. I can tell you that much.
Oh, said the little girl. I’m sorry it wasn’t. I wish we had a pleasant encounter.
Sometimes wishing only won’t do it, said the ant. Sometimes you have to make more effort than that.
Yes, I know, said the little girl.
I mean do you want someone to say that they had been having a nice day, but then they bumped into you and it all got ruined? said the ant.
Oh, no, said the little girl. I don’t want that.
Of course, you don’t want that, said the ant. How can anyone want that? What you want them to say is that they had been having a nice day and then they bumped into you and that was the nicest part of their day.
Yes, said the little girl. I definitely want that. What you just said.
Then, like I said, you should be careful and watch where you are going, said the ant. So that no one gets hurt or anything.
I will, said the little girl. I will do my best to pay better attention next time. I’ll make sure that no one gets hurt.
Ok, said the ant. Thank you.
Next time you encounter me, next time anyone encounters me, it will be the nicest part of their day, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Ok, said the ant. I hope so.
I promise, said the little girl.
Ok, said the ant. Thank you.
Once again, I’m sorry about what happened, said the little girl.
It’s ok, said the ant. I have to be going now. Bye.
Bye, said the little girl. Have a nice day!
You too, said the ant. Bye.

Chapter 18

You are so sweet, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Am I? said the owl.
Yes, you are, said the little girl. You are sweet.
I don’t think so, said the owl.
Yes, you are! said the little girl. Yes, you are. You always say kind things. You wish others well.
Hmm, said the owl.
You speak in a soft and friendly voice, said the little girl. You listen, when others speak. You try to help. It’s sweet.
I don’t know if it’s sweet, said the owl. I rather think that it’s smart.
Smart? said the little girl.
Aha, said the owl. Smart. Sweet is smart. Sweet is better.
Well, sweet is better than bitter, said the little girl. That’s for sure.
Exactly, said the owl.
That’s what my Mom always says, said the little girl. Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.
Exactly, said the owl. By being sweet you reach more than by being bitter. So being sweet is smart.
By being kind you reach more than by being unkind, said the little girl.
Exactly, said the owl. Being kind is smart.
Kind is smart, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Exactly, said the owl.
Sweet is smart, said the little girl.
Exactly, said the owl.

Chapter 19

Hurry up, sweetheart! said Mother. We are running late.
I’m almost ready! said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
What are you doing in the garden anyway? said Mother. We have to leave now.
I am gathering some flowers, said the little girl. These cute little ones.
We are taking the subway, sweetheart, said Mother. Are you taking the flowers with you on the subway?
Yeah, said the little girl. I am taking them on the subway. I am going to take them and give them to the ladies on the subway.
Ladies on the subway? said Mother. Why would you do that?
The ladies on the subway often look sad, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Do they? said Mother.
Yes, they look sad, said the little girl. That’s why I need the flowers.
I see, said Mother.
I am going to give a flower to every lady I see, said the little girl. And if they are sad, they will smile and laugh. The flowers will cheer them up!
I bet they will, said Mother. Receiving a cute little flower from a cute little girl like yourself could cheer up anyone!
I think so, said the little girl.
Yeah, I think so, too, said Mother. We have to get going, sweetheart. Are you coming?
Yep! said the little girl.

Chapter 20

Hi, said the little boy with short blond hair and big eyes.
Hi, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Who are you? said the little boy.
I’m a girl, said the little girl.
A girl? said the little boy.
Yes, a girl, said the little girl. And I have this long black hair. And I have these big eyes. See?
Hmm, said the little boy.
A girl, you know, said the little girl. A little girl.
Yes, I know what a girl is, said the little boy with short blond hair and big eyes. I just have never seen one like you before.
Don’t I look like a little girl? said the little girl.
You do look like a little girl, said the little boy. But there is something different about you.
Different? How? said the little girl.
I don’t know, said the little boy. I don’t know yet. But you are different.
Like special? said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.
Yes, special, said the little boy.
Hmm, said the little girl. Maybe I am. Maybe I am special.
Do you often play in this garden? Asked the little boy.
Very often, said the little girl. My grandfather brings me here, so I can play with other kids.
What do you play? said the little boy.
Oh, we play all kinds of games, said the little girl. Mostly, we wrestle.
Wrestle? said the little boy. Who do you wrestle?
I wrestle other kids, said the little girl. Mostly boys.
Do you like to wrestle? said the little boy with short blond hair and big eyes.
Yes, I love to wrestle! It’s a lot of fun, said the little girl. Besides, Grandpa says wrestling is good for me. Sport is good for me.
Aha, said the little boy. I like sport.
Do you like to wrestle? said the little girl.
I like everything, said the little boy.
Me too, said the little girl. I like everything, too.
And I like you, said the little boy.
You like me? said the little girl.
Yes, I like you, said the little boy with short blond hair and big eyes. Is it ok?
Is it ok that you like me? said the little girl. Of course, it’s ok.
Ok, said the little boy. Would you like to play some wrestling with me now?
Sure, said the little girl. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!
And after that we can go get some ice-cream, said the little boy.
Yeah, ice-cream! said the little girl. And maybe some candy.
Sure, said the little boy with short blond hair and big eyes. What kind of candy do you like?
The sweet kind, said the little girl with long black hair and big eyes.