Mysterion, December 2024

“Changeling Child” by Miranda Miller

Reviewed by Mina

This month’s story,    “Changeling Child” by Miranda Miller, was simply lovely: sweet without being cloying. An enterprising child, Marta, is curious about the fairy who attends her church but nobody talks to, out of fear and mistrust. She even puts together a history project to have a reason to ask the fairy why he keeps coming to church, despite being ostracised.    His reply is simple: “I don’t go to church for the people. I go to church for my faith.” But it’s not the reply Marta gets from him where the crux of the story lies, it’s in Marta’s determination and innocence, in her child-like sense of fairness that finally persuades the adults around her to question their fears and prejudices.

Many stories written by those who have faith are unreadable, bad stories or inaccessible to those without faith. What I liked about this Christmas story is that it is extremely readable, well-written and accessible to all. It has a simple message, to practice what you preach. If you believe in a loving God, then a church is failing to reflect that God if it does not welcome all. It’s also an interesting look at what faith is and why you might hold on to it, even as an outcast.

Mina was very much in need of a happy end when she read this, but one anchored in a possible world. Acute neurological pain leaves you nowhere to hide and all distractions are welcome.