Canto VIII

Canto VIII

And then the Baying Wolf trod the road once more,

Padded along with a half-full belly.

The night was falling, the deadly night, the

Night that within more than one life would be

Robbed today. The path

Led the way, the Wolf wandering, following

The path without concern.

The road reached a stream, slithering it ways through a

Forest. The Baying Wolf stopped by the creek,

Cleaned his monstrous self, and

Then saw the shelter of sticks, the home of Stiggs.

He snickered to himself, and smiled, then

Approached the house. He knocked, and called

Out, with that silvery voice,

"Little friend, friend

"In the woods, will you let a

"Poor traveler in to sleep the night?"

Stiggs did not even turn towards the door,

But shouted rudely,

"I have no food, and I have

"No money. None for beggars like you!

"I don't feed beggars, no, not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin!"

At this the wolf knew that this must be

His earlier meal's brother. He licked his lips, could

Already taste the meal, and

Shouted, his voice rasping with impatience,

"Oh, please,

"Little pig, let me come in! The night

"Draws cold, and I shall freeze."

Stiggs froze at the terrifying words the Wolf spoke. How

Could this traveler know he was a pig? He

Replied shrewdly,

"Nay, fool! How

"Could I believe your falsehoods, when

"Fearsome beasts roam these woods, those

"That would willingly gobble me up? No, I shall

"Not let you in, not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin."

The Wolf's eyes grew large with anger,

And he snarled, and growled.

He opened his mouth, with those ghastly, curved,

Sharp teeth, and blew at the house, hoping

His horrendous wind would

Destroy this house as it did the last.

But the cracks in the walls were many, and

The breeze rushed through, a large,

Wall-shaking draft, but the house was intact.

At this the Baying Wolf howled with

Rage, and tried to break

Down the door. The whole house

Shuddered, the weak walls trembled,

And the house collapsed. Stiggs was inside,

And the Wolf smiled cruelly.