Friday, April 23, 2010
The Anna thing is made up though.
The girl in confusion looked around her. Ah, yes, something was in the country air now, alright. Except she wasn’t in the country. She was in a new sort of world. Not really, actually. It was just a lot of trees and she was in front of her house. She felt that it was different, as if she had to carry out a role of someone today. And she did.
After walking for quite some time, she found out she wore a vibrant, bright red hood, with patterns of maroon and brown here and there. In her arms, a basket made of rattan, filled with pastries and goods to eat. The sweet smell wafted from the basket. But it was the kinds of food old ladies would eat. The little girl wandered into the forest, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs behind.
Anna... Anna, wake up... Could you send this basket of pastries and pies to your old grandmother? She’s wanted them for a long time you know... Remember, don’t talk to strange people.
The girl kept these words. Knowing them by heart, replaying them in a mental recorder. She came to the conclusion that she was Anna. “Anna.” She said to herself, as if pleased. The basket in her hand swung to the hum of her voice.
Anna walked. Anna hopped. Anna jumped, skipped and ran. She started to feel tired. She glanced at a big bark of tree near her. “I’ll just sit down and rest” she said to herself, “Then I’ll continue my journey.” In the midst of her ‘rest’, she began to wonder. Grandmother? I just had a case of amnesia, where would I know where she lives? What kind of path have I been following anyway?! She sat wondering to herself, obvious question marks on her head.
The Wolf lurked nearer and nearer to her. Almost tasting her in his jaws. A thin thread of saliva drooled from its mouth. He approached Anna, thinking only of her taste. He was also thinking of what to say, which was stupid. Because wolves cannot speak. But who cared, there are talking mice, which help damsels in distress. Let alone bears that have homes and leave their doors open to let snoopy little girls in. And let us not forget about other animals; pigs, cats, dogs; they ALL can talk, why not the Wolf?
Anna was aware of the Wolf. She was not scared. Instead, she was a little excited. What would a wolf do to her? Eat her of course. What will happen when she was eaten? She would die. But she felt courageous. Very, very courageous. The Wolf was now close to Anna, close enough she could see him. The Wolf took a whiff to see how she smelled. She smelled of human meat, like any other one of his prey. He took another whiff. What was this? He took another whiff again. This smelled more like…
Wolf meat! He smelled wolf meat! Not coming from him, but the basket! He smelled human meat as well, fresh from a young girl. Anna stood in front of him, thinking why hasn’t this wolf eaten me yet? The Wolf whimpered and ran off into the bushes, leaving Anna all alone. After that, Anna walked off to who knows where her Grandmother`s house. The Wolf followed her closely still, although frightened of what was in the basket.
The Wolf went ahead of her, trying to find a little cottage of some sort, where this little girl may be heading. Alas, he found it. It was a sweet little cottage, with flowers here and there. But the only turn-off was the smell. It smelled of bones and carcasses. Corpses and rotten meat. The Wolf ignored it and knocked the door. An old woman`s voice answered.
“Yes? Who is it? Come in!”
The Wolf chuckled and came in. The Grandmother looked at him and frowned. “This wasn’t what I wanted.” The Wolf cackled and said, “No, I’m sure it wasn’t.” The Grandmother then smiled, and replied. “They must’ve forgotten that I can’t chew properly. Well then, come on Wolf. Haven’t got all day. You must be tired. Rest upon this bed.”
The foolish Wolf did so and rested. As the old woman towered over him, he examined her facial features. “My, Old Grandmother, what big eyes you have!” He said, astonished. The old woman just smiled and said, “All the better to see you with, my dear.” As she spoke, several sharp pointy rows of teeth showed. Her fangs obviously more visible than the rest. “My, what sharp, big teeth you have!” He spoke. The Grandmother did not reply this time; as she was too busy brandishing a butcher knife.
The Wolf stared in horror and fear. The Grandmother neared him and raised her knife. He howled in pain as his head dropped from the bed, his jaw wide open. And sounds of bone crunching and munching coming from the Grandmother.
Anna reached the cottage. She smelled cakes being baked and cookies fresh from the oven. Yum. She thought. “Granny must’ve known I’ve come to visit.” She saw the door was wide open. She came in and found her Grandmother, eating something. Her mouth was full of breadcrumbs… Anna squinted. Were those breadcrumbs reddish in color?
The Grandmother turned around and smiled. “Oh hello, Anna. I’ve been waiting for you. Would you like to join me for tea?” Anna was starving. “But of course!” Anna said with a big grin. She joined her Grandmother. But the Wolf, a little less lucky, was never to be seen again.