The proceeds of this book is used to support the “Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters” (“Autonomen Österreichischen Frauenhäuser”) and the campaign “Living FREE of violence” (“GewaltFREIleben”).
Bibliographic Information of the National Libraries:
The Austrian National Library lists this publication in the Austrian
National Library.
Imprint:
1st edition
Mail: karina.bookoffice@gmail.com
Cover design© Karin Pfolz
Illustrations© Jennifer Homann
Text© Bettina Lippenberger
Revision, Design, Karin Pfolz
Translation: Sally Bertram
Proofreading: Laura Liedermann
May 2015 Vienna, Austria,
Karina Verlag, Vienna. Print: ISBN 978-3-903056-38-1
Ebook: 978-3-903056-39-8
The work including all its parts is protected by copyright. Any use beyond the narrow limits of copyright law without the approval of the publisher, editor and author is illegal and punishable. This applies in particular to duplications, translations, microfilming and storage and processing in electronic systems.
»What about a film at the cinema tonight?«, Karin asked.
»We have never been to the cinema before.«, Crumby explained.
»What film is running anyway?«, Flaky wanted to know now.
»Let me have a look. The film is called Taiora – In the land of Indians.«
»That sounds exciting.«, Fluffy answered.
»What is the film about?«, Crumby asked.
»An Amerindian girl is searching for her father in the wild. No one knows where he is, and the other men of the tribe are gone.«
»Would you come with us?«, Fluffy asked.
»Sure!«, Karin confirmed.
»Yeah!«, the three of them cheered.
Karin had to laugh. These three were too cute. They just arrived this morning. They were put in a little box which the postman delivered. »Caution fragile« was written on its top.
This box contained another box with lots of holes. They hopped out looking a bit tousled. The inside was covered with many cuddly blankets. A small letter with seeds and a thimble filled with water and a mini straw were the provisions.
Now they were sitting here together and talking about all the things they wanted to do.
»Tomorrow morning we could take a ride through the city with a Fiaker. That is a horse-drawn carriage.«, Karin explained as everyone was looking at her questioning.
»Unfortunately, the day after tomorrow you have to keep yourselves busy on your own, at least during daytime. In the evening, however, we are going to the Prater. It is so beautiful illuminated.«
»We can have a look at the surroundings.«, Crumby suggested.
»I prepared a small map for you, perfectly fitting for your size. If you are getting tired you can go to the kiosk around the corner. There you can relax. Hannes is very nice and he already knows that you are going to come.«
»Great!«, the three agreed. They opened their eyes widely. They were going to see so many things. They were so excited.
»Would you be fine with it?«, Karin wanted to know.
»Yes and how!«, Crumby, Flaky and Fluffy cheered.
»Deal then!«
Soon afterwards they were sitting in the cinema. Because the three were smaller they sat on the top of backrest. Karin sat on the seat next to them, so nobody else could sit down there.
Crumby rustled with a bag and Fluffy sucked a straw.
»Psst, the film is just about to start!«, Flaky murmured. Fluffy disappeared in the bag full of gummy bears and Crumby crunched a crisp.
»Could you be less noisy?«, Flaky was annoyed.
Crumby answered with his mouth so full you could hardly understand him: »No, they are so delicious.«
»But very noisy!«, Flaky said. Crumby swallowed.
»I cannot help it. I just cannot stop.«, Crumby admitted.
»Give it at least a try!«, Flaky grumbled.
Crumby made it for exactly ten seconds, then he hold another crisp in his hand.
»Oh no come on!«, Flaky hovered three rows to the front, only lightened by the commercials shown on the screen and the dimmed lamps.
She listened carefully behind her. Nothing. No noise, no rustling of bags. Absolute silence.
»Finally!«, Flaky thought.
Still, Karin said to Crumby: »You are going to apologise later, please. I do not like Flaky being all on her own.«
Crumby looked very shamefacedly.
»The bag is so noisy and the crisps are so crunchy.«
»I know, but a little more consideration would have been nice.«, Karin finished.
The curtain opened widely. Now the screen was shown in its full length. The lamps at the wall had gone out.
Her horse snorted restlessly.
»We have to cross the river, Fast Feather.«
The spotted horse pranced back and forwards.
»Go on!«, she begged her pet.
Slowly it moved on. Firstly the front hoofs then further on. Step by step. They crossed the river and rode to the Amerindian camp as fast as the wind. Hopefully, her father would be back. She had been searching for him the whole day. He hunted buffaloes like the other men. Since a week the woman and the eldest have been waiting for their return.
When she rode through the rows of housings, there was still no hint. Where were they? Was there no buffalo anymore? Did they have to search broader than usual? Tajora became seriously worried.
»Taiora where are you coming from?«, her mother asked.
»I searched for dad. But I didn't find him anywhere. Only this feather of Red Rose's trail laid behind a long dead camp fire.«
»We should go to the oldest ones.«
The oldest ones, who did not join the hunting, deliberated.
»What shall we do if they will not return?«
»Or are there probably no buffaloes in this area anymore at all?«
»That would be terrible!«
»We can not survive without buffaloes!«
»So what shall we do? Shall we continue on?«
An assenting mumbling raised.
»It is decided then. If the men don't return by tomorrow, we will remove the tipis.«
»In what direction we should try our luck?«
»North.«
Taiora was frightened when she heard that. How should her father find his family? She decided in an instant to ride away once more without letting the tribe know.
»I will find the men.«, she swore, »May the great Manitu be with me.«
Her talent that the others did not know would help her.
»What kind of talent might that be?«, Crumby asked.
»That is what I really like to know, too«, Fluffy whispered who didn't bear being further in front without her friends.