Daisy Takes Charge (9 page)

Guinea is a white parrot called a Little Corella. He looks a bit like a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, but smaller, with a little white crest, not a giant yellow one.

There are three types of corella found in Australia and Little Corellas are the smallest ones, being only 38cm when fully grown. Which is still giant compared to me!

You can find Little Corellas in many parts of Australia, often in large flocks, near rivers, creeks or dams, or wherever there is plenty of seedy grass.

Little Corellas are a lot like fairies. They love to talk and play and can be very noisy, especially when lots of them get together. They don't sing sweetly like Maggie's magpie friends, but call to each other in a high-pitched shriek.

Just like mine, Little Corella families live in a tree hollow. Inside their home is a nest of soft wood shavings, where the mother bird lays her eggs. The mum and dad work together, keeping the eggs warm and looking after their babies when they hatch – just like my parents look after my sister, Maggie, and me.

Aunt Acacia made Maggie a fancy feathered headpiece for her performance. Follow the steps below to make a simple feathery fascinator.

What you'll need

1 plastic hair comb

5-6 feathers in varying sizes

Thread that matches your feathers

Scissors

1 pretty button with no holes in the front, just one at the back.

What to do

1. Holding the stems tightly, arrange your feathers like a bouquet of flowers.
   
2. Wrap a piece of thread around and around the stems, tying it tightly to hold them together.
   
3. Place the feather bouquet against the front of the comb, making sure the straight edge is on the left side. Line the bottom of the stems up with the bottom of the comb.
   
4. Tie the stems tightly to the straight edge of the comb, wrapping the thread between the teeth.
   
5. Sew the button over the stems to hide the thread.
   

Now your fascinator is ready to wear!

D
aisy darted through the treetops, wings beating furiously. Above her, the sky blossomed apricot and pink, the air itself seeming to glow amber as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Daisy barely noticed.

‘Was it always this far away?' she muttered.

The small, green beetle that flew beside her chuckled, chittering for Daisy to be patient.

‘Oh, Vu,' said Daisy, turning to look at her friend. ‘How can I be patient on such an exciting day? It isn't possible!'

A twinkling of fairy lights sparkled below. With a squeal of delight, Daisy dived through the canopy, soaring towards them.

Shaking his head, Vu followed.

Daisy had only visited the Fairy Queen's Tea-Tree House twice in her life. And then she had only seen it from the outside. This time she was to be an honoured guest and would be staying with Queen Jasmine for a whole week.

All fairies, near the end of their childhood, were invited to visit Queen Jasmine. And something life-changing almost always happened while they were there.

Daisy's parents, Nen and Efa, had first met while staying with the Queen. Her sister, Maggie had discovered a ladybird named Nelli, who was now her constant companion. And Aunt Acacia had realised that her Calling was to be a seamstress!

As her feet touched down on the small wooden verandah that served as the visitors' entrance, Daisy crossed her fingers and made a wish. ‘Please let me discover my Calling.'

Vu chittered encouragement as he landed on Daisy's shoulder, reminding her of how much she had grown up this summer, earning her wings and learning to fly and being an enormous help to her sister Maggie!

‘I have grown up, haven't I, Vu?' Daisy agreed. ‘I
must
be ready for my Calling.'

The verandah darkened as the sun sank out of sight. Vu shivered in the chill autumn air.

‘Come on,' said Daisy. ‘Let's get you inside.'

Before them was a door of honey-coloured wood, carved around the edges in an intricate pattern of wildflowers, butterflies and birds. Daisy brushed her fingers along the carvings, wondering if she was supposed to knock or if she should just step inside?

There was no time to decide as the door was suddenly flung open and the verandah was enveloped in bright, yellow light. With a chitter of fright, Vu darted beneath Daisy's hair to hide.

Framed in the doorway was the dark shape of a tall fairy, his sharp-tipped wings casting pointed shadows through the golden light. Daisy gulped.

With one swift movement, the fairy leaned out and down until his long pointed nose was almost touching Daisy's and she could count the spikes of his dark beard. He stared searchingly into Daisy's eyes and she got the uncomfortable feeling that he was peering inside her mind.

For just a moment, his eyes widened in surprise, then he quickly pulled back.

‘State your name and purpose!' The fairy barked the command.

How rude!
Daisy thought. This wasn't the welcome she'd been expecting.

‘Quickly!' The fairy demanded. ‘Don't you know how to speak?'

‘I'm Daisy,' she replied. ‘Queen Jasmine has invited me. And if you had any manners you might introduce yourself before you start barking like a sea lion.'

For a moment the stern fairy seemed taken aback, then a small smile curled at the corner of his lips.

‘You've got spirit. I'll give you that. You're going to need it, I think. I'm Keeper Raven, of Tea-Tree House security. Now hop to it, young fairy! Queen Jasmine has been expecting you and we don't keep Her Majesty waiting.'

For Dad and Dale, for loving and supporting me, even when you thought this writing thing was crazy. JW-S
I'd like to dedicate this little musical book to Chris and to Cathy with love. KM