Perdaxius. «Working as a “servant” is a job that I like and it earns well. Going into service will allow me to have the money needed to live, to buy the clothes I want and to leave the country." It was March 8, 1974 when Miranda Piredda, who lived in Perdaxius and was 12 years old, wrote an essay capable of moving the literature teacher who, due to those incredibly mature reflections, contacted the editorial staff of L'Unione Sarda. The following day the newspaper sold like hotcakes in the area: «In reality, someone in the village was offended by the headline – Miranda, who is 62 years old and works as a social and healthcare worker, recalls smiling today – I was simply being honest».
The composition
It was an essay written in beautiful handwriting that was given to Professor Rossana Copez: «I still remember her, she was a very good teacher – she says – she asked us to illustrate a dream of ours for the future and so I did, like all my classmates». They were all children of families in the village, they dreamed of becoming teachers (especially girls), landowners, veterinarians, policemen, electricians and even drivers in car races.
Miranda was much more practical: she dreamed of working as a housekeeper in a family. In the essay she wrote: "I have to be polite and kind and if I work well they give me the money I deserve."
To tell her story yesterday she chose to sit on the red bench in the Perdaxius square, the one dedicated to women: «I had almost forgotten that interview which for a few days made me strangely "famous" in the town, even if I didn't understand why. . But apparently I was a very practical child – she admits while reading the old article – today times have changed, but back then it wasn't easy for a girl from Lower Sulcis to build a future and become independent. It was already complicated to leave the house, I was little but I knew it well. Taking service in the homes of those who could afford a maid was a guarantee of being able to earn and not depend on anyone." She was only 12 years old but with her words she showed great maturity: «Not that I like cleaning - she explained to the reporter who went to Perdaxius to meet her and then photographed her together with Professor Copez - but I want be independent. I want to do like my aunt who came to visit me the other day and was all dressed up. Because she too was poor and now she is a "servant" and has money."
