"Us, and our donkey"

The narrator, the eldest daughter of a clergyman recently bereaved, describes the family's move to a rural parish and introduces energetic siblings and a solicitous aunt. As they settle into village life, the children undertake a string of adventures centered on a much-loved donkey, including races, visits to a gypsy camp, a chariot contest, a frightening search when the animal goes missing, and domestic episodes that mix mischief, courage, and practical problem-solving. Interwoven with family grief and household detail, the episodes emphasize loyalty, growing responsibility, and the warm chaos of childhood.