Author's note: The song included in this chapter is a master piece of the Spanish Music, at least for me. Is called Little Red Riding Hood (Caperucita) of Ismael Serrano. A very sad and poetical looking at the classical tale. Very recommended.
The other songs are Chiquitita from Abba and Alice from A. Lavigne.
Let's go.
11. Little Red Riding Hood.
Again the incident with the arrival of Sportacus´father (Missing Star XD), and days pass for Stephanie slowly. The very thought of Sportacus not being human is driving her mad. He is in trouble because of her and no matter how much they try, they are too different.
Maybe, she should go home with her parents and forget all about it. But then, what good could it be? There is no way she might survive without her friend.
"Stephanie." Uncle Milford shows up. "Am so happy that you are here. Is there something wrong? You look very sad."
"Is nothing, uncle." Cleans her friend.
"Why don't you outside? Some fresh air will do the trick." She decides to follow his advice. But nothing takes away her sorrow until she hears music coming from Rafa´s house. Shogun is in the window looking at her. The girl walks to his friend's home and caresses the cat.
"Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong
You're enchained by your own sorrow
In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow
How I hate to see you like this
There is no way you can deny it
I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita, tell me the truth
I'm a shoulder you can cry on
Your best friend, I'm the one you must rely on
You were always sure of yourself
Now I see you've broken a feather
I hope we can patch it up together
Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
So the walls came tumbling down
And your love's a blown out candle
All is gone and it seems too hard to handle
Chiquitita, tell me the truth
There is no way you can deny it
I see that you're oh so sad, so quiet
Chiquitita, you and I know
How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
You will have no time for grieving
Chiquitita, you and I cry
But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita
Try once more like you did before
Sing a new song, Chiquitita"
The girl and the youngster look at each other. Somehow, he always knows what she needs to hear. He is like a big brother, something different from Sportacus. Naughty, witty and optimistic, Rafa is a boy who has a very wide vision of the world and who has known solitude and happiness. The young man seems to know more that what he wises to say.
"C´mon inside. Take a seat, Chiquita." Offers him and she obeys. "I know what you are going through."
"So, you did know about…" She glances at him.
"Aye. But little do I care about it. He is a good guy and that is all you need in this world." She sighs. "Look. You are making too hard what is easy. He likes you, you like him. And that's that. Let them talk. You will do just fine."
"But, we are too different." The girl hugs her legs.
"I know but… To the heart differences are only the brush that makes a flower more beautiful." That is the most wonderful thing she has ever heard and makes everything fit. "There are a lot of Big Bad Wolves out there, Little Red. And trust me when I say this, if you have find a true one, then why let the wolves have you? I have met lots of wolves in my life. People who love to hurt you just because you are different, or any other reason they can think of. When you find a true friend, is like finding heaven in the darkest of all hells. I found friends, took me long but… Then I realize how important I was for them and them for me. And that is everything." Steph is speechless. Rafa has known very deep sorrows. "I learned from my monsters that I am better myself, that I can get over them and show that I can do things others can't. I go on because I know now that I can beat any dragon in my way."
"That means you are very brave." She smiles.
"Maybe not brave but, that I have hope and I want to keep going no matter what. And I think you should try it too." He gets up and brings the CD player and his archive of translations.
"Well, I never had a lot of friends to tell the truth. I was very popular and people liked me but, never had a true friend." She sighs.
"I think you should try listening to this song, then. It is called Little Red Riding Hood, Caperucita. But is not the classical story but a more realistic view of it." Shows her the lyrics in English.
"I… I want to hear it in your language." She looks at the cds.
"Ok. Then I tell you what is it about. It reminds me a lot of my own experience, in some way." Lies down on the sofa. "Little Red is here sixteen years old and like many other girls, is taught by her dad that one day she will have to get married and take care of a house, husband and child." Goes pointing through the lyrics. "She does not want to, but obeys. One day, she goes to see her grandma. Like in the tale, to bring her food. On her way there, she meets a very bad man. The Big Bad Wolf as human, who seduces her and violates her." Stephanie goes pale. "The poor thing then marries another very bad guy who kicks her and cries when he does it, but keeps on doing it. At the end of the song, she is looking at her daughter and even knowing she can end just like her mother, Little Red has the hope that maybe she will find her true love and be saved. The chorus is a song that Red uses to encourage herself. You still want to hear it?" They look at each other and Stephanie nods.
"Caperucita sólo tiene dieciséis
primaveras sin flores, papá le dice: "Ven.
Caperucita eres joven y tienes que aprender
a ocuparte de la casa, que serás una mujer.
"Quiero volar, lejos de aquí escapar.
Dime, mi bien, quién me llorará
si me dan alas y echo a volar.
Quiero dormir, no quiero despertar,
quiero ser la lluvia al otro lado del cristal,
quizás alguien me espere en la oscuridad".
"Quiero volar, lejos de aquí escapar.
Dime, mi bien, quién me llorará
si me dan alas y echo a volar.
Quiero dormir, no quiero despertar,
quiero ser la lluvia al otro lado del cristal,
quizás alguien me espere en la oscuridad".
Una gris mañana Caperucita se casó,
vestida de blanco, bella como una flor.
Su marido, muy elegante, otro lobo feroz,
y su padre orgulloso lloraba de emoción.
"Quiero volar, lejos de aquí escapar.
Dime, mi bien, quién me llorará
si me dan alas y echo a volar.
Quiero dormir, no quiero despertar,
quiero ser la lluvia al otro lado del cristal,
quizás alguien me espere en la oscuridad.
Para que seas buena esposa
y no envejezcas sola,
en la cama y la cocina has de saber
alegrar a tu marido y cuidar a cada hijo,
que te atrapa tu destino,
que has de ser madre y esposa".
Y la pobre Caperucita llora.
Una fría tarde Caperucita iba
a casa de su abuela a llevarle comida,
cuando se encontró con un lobo feroz.
Dime dónde vas niña, que te acompaño yo.
La muchacha se supo perdida.
Gritaba Caperucita
mientras la devoraba el lobo.
Bajo la falda del vestido
estallaron los dormidos
sueños que en la noche
la mantenían viva. Pobre Caperucita.
Ahora cada noche el lobo la devora,
clava sus dientes, y llora
Caperucita mientras espera a que un aullido
le diga que el dormido animal despertó.
Después descansa tranquilo el malvado lobo feroz.
La cara de Caperucita alumbra una sonrisa
mientras mece una cuna. En ella está una niña,
quizás futura oveja para un lobo feroz,
a no ser que afortunada la rescate tu amor.
Caperucita la arrulla contra el pecho
y un murmullo lento, lleno
de esperanza y vida,
canta Caperucita.
Quiero volar".
The silence takes over the room.
Stephanie looks at her friend and hugs him tight. He is right. Like always but more than ever. She has true friends and has find someone special so, there is no need to feel alone.
"I want to fly away from here.
Tell me, my love, who will miss me
If I get wings and get afar?
I want to sleep and never wake.
I want to be the rain in the other side,
as maybe someone waits in the dark.
I want to fly."
Rafa translates the chorus for her and the girl cries with joy. She has found why Sportacus and Rafa are so special for her. They understand her, listen and talk to her like nobody else. They are her heaven among hell.
"Little Red beams with a smile
while she rocks a cradle with a little girl.
Maybe she will be eaten by the wolves,
or perhaps will be saved one day by your love.
Little Red lulls her to sleep
with a slow little lullaby
full of hope and life.,
Red sings her song."
Stephanie knows now what Angry Hound means. She has to fight for her friend, no matter what. Again, she feels falling through the Rabbit Hole but this time, there is peace in her heart and hope, and decision. She is going to defeat her demons just like Rafa defeat his and Sportacus does. Stephanie is not Red Riding Hood but Alice, like Angry said, and she is going to defeat the foes of Wonderland.
"Tripping out
Spinning around
I'm underground, I fall down
I fall down
I'm freaking out
So where am I now?
Upside down
And I can't stop it now
It can't stop me now
I, I'll get by
I, I'll survive
When the world's crashing down
When I falling hit the ground
I will turn myself and run
Don't you try to stop it?
I, I won't cry
I found myself in Wonderland
Get back on my feet again
Is this real?
Is this pretended?
I'll take a stand until the end
I'll get by
I'll survive
When the world's crashing down
When I'm falling hit the ground
I'll just turn myself around
Don't you try to stop me
I'll won't cry"
Is time to wake up and see what has happened.
The experience of Rafa and his Big Bad Wolves is actually mine. I had a hard time during my childhood but it has gave me strength to face everything. I too met a Big Bad Wolf who tried to violate me but it was only a kiss, thanks God. (A Cow Kiss in this mouth. Iuuugggh!). I hope you like it. Once am done with this, I will do my own version of some LT episodes.
Next stop: Some good friends.
