Summary

Act I, Scene I – Graba, a witch with mechanical chicken legs, takes in stray children, calling them “grandchildren” and forcing them to work for her. They include three boys named Rownie, Blotches, Stubble, and a girl named Vass. Graba summons them to her loft where she keeps birds, mostly pigeons. She sends three of the children to market in nearby Zombay, where theater has been outlawed. Blotches and Stubble are to bring eggs to Haggot’s stall, Vass is assigned to hang a welcoming home bag full of a bird skull and other things on the Clock Tower door while singing a charm. Graba looks at Vass as her protégé. Graba tells Rownie, the smallest, to remain behind with her. He is assigned to help with the maintenance on Graba’s legs. Out of oil, Graba...