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.
