Where Butterflies Wander

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and child death.

In a letter addressed to Davina from her adoptive mother, a “river witch” named Rosalinda, the story of Davina’s early years are detailed. Davina received this letter in 2002 while she was recovering in a hospital from injuries sustained in the war in Afghanistan. Rosalinda, nearing her own death, wrote to tell Davina about Davina’s early life. Rosalinda describes the first time she saw Davina when she was six, by the river with her mother. Davina and her pregnant mother had fled Davina’s father and were hiding away in the forest. The story of their disappearance was famous. Rosalinda sent Davina and her mother a care package, reciprocated with an invitation for tea. Rosalinda remembers Davina at this age as being highly precocious, artistic, and detail oriented. Over time, Rosalinda became friends with Davina and her mother. One night during a harsh winter storm, Rosalinda found Davina’s mother at the point of death, likely from a ruptured placenta. Davina’s mother asked Rosalinda to take Davina in. Rosalinda kept her promise, giving her the new name of Davina and becoming her adoptive mother. Rosalinda writes that she leaves this world with little to give Davina except her “knowledge of healing” and her love (8).