The pine trees in our forest always smell like spring or licorice candy. They stand up very tall and straight and try to reach up into the clouds in the sky. Sometimes they line up in rows and their top branches touch, but they always leave enough space for me to run between them. We play on the cliffs in the forest. They let us slide down their backs on pieces of cardboard in the winter and in summer. We use their moss and little sticks to make houses until we have villages. Then we explore paths through the forest as far as we dare or until we discover another neighborhood. We only find out we have gone far when they say that we have been away too long, and they tell us not to do that again, that they were worried. We never get lost. Why should they worry?
My father sometimes tells me about the Vikings. Long ago, they lived in Sweden but there were also Estonian Vikings. They liked to sail big Viking ships to explore and look for new lands. Sometimes they got into battles. One time, some Estonian Vikings sailed to Sweden and in a battle over gold burned down their village of Sigtuna. I am relieved that Swedes have forgiven us since we now live in Sweden.
Tõnu, our friend Rein and I play outside all day in our forest.
I don’t want to burn down villages, but I am a Viking since I have been an explorer all my life. I just have to know what comes after the next street, where does that forest go and where does it end. My mother tells me to stay away from water, so I cannot be a sailing Viking. I am, therefore, a forest Viking. It often gets me into trouble. My parents tell me that I shouldn’t explore far from home, but there are no borders or fences. How do I know where far is?
Tõnu, our friend Rein and I play outside all day in our forest. My parents work so Tõnu’s mother is supposed to be looking after me, but I don’t see her that often.
One time, my parents and I walked to another town to visit a family with twins. Last week I walked there by myself. I know the way, through our forest, past Next Neighborhood, past Next Forest, along the road beside a lake, past the cows in the field, past the bull, (I did not wear red that day), and further to their town. They were surprised to see me by myself. I played with the twins but was so disappointed when my father came. He was angry I had walked there by myself. I now know that the twins are “too far.” Did Viking kids have parents who spoiled their plans?
My father classifies mushrooms at the museum. It has nothing to do with his law degree and what he did in Estonia. My mother worked at the Maribu chocolate factory and sometimes brought home chocolates but now she works at the large post office with other Estonian women who like talking to each other. I wish she were still bringing home chocolates.
In October, my father says they now have a space for me at the Estonian school in downtown Stockholm. I have to go, even if it is for two months.
“Tomorrow morning, cross the street to the other side of Råsundavägen, get on the streetcar to Stockholm. Look for Estonian children on the streetcar. When they get off and transfer, follow them until they get off at Eriksdal school.” My parents leave early, so I have to get there myself. I am an experienced explorer. I’ve explored for years. The next morning, I cross the busy street. I don’t have time to worry for a streetcar arrives right away. At the back, I see a group of children talking together. I get closer. They are speaking Estonian! My father must have been sure I would find some. I don’t know them, but I follow them to school. I am the new girl in Grade One and I have to catch up with everything they learned since beginning of September.
In December we are leaving Sweden and going across the sea.
“Will we be going to places the Vikings went to?” I wonder.
Lilian Puust, VEMU Kirjutajate klubi
