The Chronicles of Children I

Little Paris Girl1

I was abandoned as a baby, my mother was a prostitute and my father left for the 'army' and never returned. My name is Isabelle, I never knew my surname. All I was told was that I was born in Paris ten years ago, in the backstreets of the city. 2

Through my whole life I've been thrown from Orphanage to Foster home, but at last I managed to escape and try to make a life of my own. Recently, I've been living on the streets, next to garbage bins and behind brothels, or hiding in shops only to be caught. 3

Strange men handled me badly, saying they'd look after me but taking me to their houses and raping me among other atrocities. 4

I don't know exactly what I look like, I only saw my reflection in a window two years ago. I had a small pointed nose and scared-looking green eyes. My hair is blonde and unkept, for I have nothing to brush it with. 5

My meals mainly consist of scraps and occasionally a bread roll off the table of a Cafe. I drink from puddles or rivers, sometimes a kind person gives me a coin or two. Nice, they are. But others turn their noses on me and mutter names under their breath. Like 'sewer-rat' or 'ugly raggady'. I don't like tha. It's unfair because it wasn't my fault I was born into thw wrong body. They should stop and thinkg what it'd be like in my scruffy shoes. 6

In my ten years I don't remember too much. All seems a blur because there's been no variety to my day-to-day life. 7

I don't know what will happen to me when I'm older, perhaps I'll earn some money and buy an estate of my own. Maybe I will die young of disease or murder. 8

The thing is, I'll never know what will befall me, although through everything I've gone past I always try to keep my chin high and stay positive. Otherwise, my hope will fade and I'll give up.9

~10

The story of Isabelle is set in Paris around the 18-19th century. She has no home, no family nor friends. Are you so unhappy now? 11