‘Not I,’ said the lumberjack, the strongest of the village, ‘for my strength is needed to keep us warm.’
‘Not I,’ said the priest, the wisest of the village, ‘for my wisdom is needed to keep us pure.’
‘Not I,’ said the doctor, the cleverest of the village, ‘for my wits are needed to keep us healthy and safe.’
No one stepped forward, and Ava despaired, for her parents had served the village for years and now no one wished to assist them. Then thinking how sad life would be with no one to read stories or play with her hair, Ava stepped forward so the village could see her.
‘I will go,’ Ava said, ‘for I am neither strong nor wise nor clever, and the goblins will not think to look for a child.’
No one protested, for all were too scared, and their thoughts were with their own children only
