Once upon a time, there was a forest that bloomed with life. Wolves would hunt but be at one with nature. For many years, the bond between wolves and the forest grew. But alas, like all good things it started to end. End because humans began making their homes from the trees in the forest. And humans began living in the forest themselves. Soon, huntsmen were plenty and the wolves deemed a threat. Throughout many years their numbers dwindled drastically.
One bold wolf and his cub were left to hide within their natural home. The wolf had brought his cub into this world with happiness and joy, and for years they had managed to escape the huntsmen. However, one unfortunate night his wife had suffered a deathly blow and ever since her death, his demeanor had become stern. He alone was left to fend for his cub - watching his every move, telling him what he had done wrong and how foolish he was. It was out of love, of course. The huntsmen had cleared the forest of much wildlife, forcing the wolf and his cub to scavenge for food amongst the human gardens and farms.
On a day like any other, his cub had ventured ahead only to return and tell the wolf of a house within a tree. Its garden was huge, and he could have sworn he saw a rabbit nibbling upon the carrots in the fields.
“Father. We must go! A rabbit, I swear! Meat! We haven’t had meat for weeks.”
“Quiet now, boy. What did I tell you?”
“To always look around and smell for humans. I know.”
The wolf led the cub to the light he saw within the home.
“You see. Foolish, for they are awake.”
The cub was only a cub in his father’s eyes. He had grown and with this also grew his arrogance.
He did not heed his father’s lesson and darted off into the garden.
The wolf panicked and ran after his son. He saw him jump the fence into the garden and snatch the rabbit by the neck.
“I told you, Father!”
Just then, the door opened, and an older woman stood there with a bow and arrow in hand.
Before the wolf could warn his cub, an arrow plunged into his throat. There now his son lied, weeping as he drowned in his own blood. Another arrow from the woman was aimed for the wolf, and with no time to mourn did he turn and run - but the arrow stuck in his leg. He winced in pain but managed to take off, out of sight of the woman.
Under a tree, in a pile of dirt he hid. He tended to his wound as tears poured out of his eyes. He howled as loudly as he could in the night. It was then he swore vengeance.
Time passed, his wound healed, and he always kept a close eye on the old woman’s home in the tree. He watched her every day tend to her garden with a bow on her back. Waiting. Waiting for the opportune time. Watching.
The old woman made less appearances in her garden, and before long the wolf had taken note of the little visitor she had. A young little girl. Three times did he watch her come and go, but the fourth time he followed. Out of sight, hiding near the trees, slowly following a young girl who, with great jubilance, shouted her thoughts.
“I sure love visiting my grandma! She always is so sweet!”
Out of the forest did she skip with joy as the wolf watched. An idea had struck him upon her departure, so he made his way to the river. There he would often see humans bathe and leave their clothes unattended. He found an older man’s clothing and stole it before he could ever notice.
He now did his best to appear as a frail older man, waiting patiently for the little girl to approach the forest once more.
“Hello little girl. May I join you on your journey? I am old and worried of the dangers in the forest.”
“Of course, you can mister! But come to think of it, there are no real dangers in the forest.”
“Oh, is that so? How can you tell?”
“Well, my grandma said she took care of the last of the wolves. Vicious creatures they are. Good thing too. She no longer can use her bow. Her arms have grown far too weak. It's why I bring her things every day!”
The wolf smiled with delight. The little girl had given him all the information he needed.
“Well, I won’t bother you then. Since the forest is clear of danger I shall be on my way. Thank you kindly, little girl.”
The girl skipped her way back to her grandmas as the wolf ventured off to a path not far behind.
He waited again until she left.
He no longer wore human clothes. He returned to his nature. The wolf walked through her garden and stopped. He stopped on the exact patch of soil, the last time he saw his cub. Years were but seconds to the wolf as the panic of his cub’s eyes seared so deeply into his memory now came rushing back. How he could do nothing as the blood drowned him. How he had to run and survive. No tears in his eyes anymore...only vengeance in his heart.
The foolish little girl had left the front door unlocked. He opened it slowly.
“Who is there?!” she shouted. The shadow of the wolf on her walls sent chills down her spine.
“It is true then. You have grown far too weak for that bow.”
Petrified, the old woman was unable to move out of bed. Helpless she was, as the wolf made his way towards her.
“Please don’t hurt me…”
The wolf moved his upper lip, bearing his sharp teeth.
“Years I spent watching you tend to your garden. I have never forgotten what you had done to my cub. I waited. I waited so long to taste your flesh. I waited so long to hear your cries of pain.”
He first bit from her arm, the arm that shot the arrow. He worked his way to her neck before whispering in her ears.
“I want you to know what I intend to do. Now that you are helpless and dying. I want you to know that when the little girl comes through those doors tomorrow, I shall devour her as well.”
So did the wolf devour the old woman. He took her clothes and wore them. He tossed her bones underneath the bed. He lied there waiting for the next day.
Exactly like he envisioned the little girl knocked on the door.
“Hello Grandma! May I come in?”
The wolf cleared his throat and, in his best attempt to sound like the grandma, he responded “Yes dear, come in.”
She opened the door and wondered why her grandma had sounded so different.
“You sound odd Grandma, are you ok?”
The wolf cleared his throat. “Ah yes, dear. I am little under the weather.”
Not thinking anything of it, she approached.
“Oh grandma, I love the red cloak you gave me! It sure is bright.”
“Come closer dear. Let me see it on you…”
So, the girl wearing her red cloak approached the bedside of what she thought was her grandma.
“My, Grandma! What large teeth you have!”
The wolf smiled the most insidious of smiles “All the better for my revenge…”
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