– Part III –
Faery, Elf, Vampyre, and Mortal Alike
Ah. So here, we are – still in the midst of the forest but making some admirable headway on our journey.
Oh, what's this? You are tired, my friend? Have your feet grown weary? Well – sit down and rest yourself for a while. I think that we may now safely pause.
Or can we…?
'Meanwhile, the wolf sped through the woods all the way to the grandmother's cottage and knocked on the door.'
(Talented wolf – knocking on doors. However did he learn to do that, I wonder?)
' "Who's there?" cried the grandmother in her weak voice.
"It is I, Little Red Riding Hood!" cried the wolf.'
(And evidently a remarkable voice-impersonator as well! Oh! Don't let him in, Granny!)
'So the grandmother opened the door—'
(Wait a moment – this from the same woman who was so terribly ill? It's a conspiracy gone awry, I tell you – the wolf in league with the crafty old octogenarian. What? Don't look at me like that! Haven't you ever read 'Hansel and Gretel'?)
'And the wolf swallowed her in a single gulp. Then he put on her nightgown and her lace cap…
…and settled down to wait for Little Red Riding Hood.'
So, the wolf has reached home territory – the place where the near and dear are to be found. Myth and legend, experience as well, can now tell us of what is to come: shock, death, and tragedy.
Or will it always end that way?
But hold a moment, friend – look! Did you see that dark, shadowy shape flitting through the trees just over there? Where's Red?
Come quickly now – we've got to run! Red, come back!
Where are you?