One night I was woken by a terrible sound. Fork lightening lit up my cold, empty room, that was just like me. I asked myself, will I have any food tomorrow? My stomach rumbled, shaking my bed like it was an earthquake. My guardian, a one-legged soldier, saved me from anyone who dared enter...
1
The next morning, all was quiet. Dad wasn’t there. “Is there something you’re not telling me?” I asked , staring into the empty chair. “No darling,” she replied, also glancing at the empty seat. “So, where’s Dad then?” I edged the Conversation onwards. “I don’t know, he’ll come back,” she answered, shaking. My heart dropped, like a stone that had been thrown in the sea. I wondered if Dad was dead or alive.
2
The morning after, Mum asked me to bring a freshly baked cake to my sick Grandma. I loved my Grandma; she was always telling me interesting stories. “Which way should I go? The short way, that takes less time, or the long way, and that makes my legs tired,” I asked, curiously. She paused, weighing it up. “Don’t go through the forest, there are dangers remember…”
3
I decided to ignore Mum. For the first time, even though I was terrified, I ambled into the unknown. Mum’s words were ringing in my ears. “There are dangers, remember.” I tried to shake it out. Anyway, I kept dropping post-it notes in case I lost my way back. I went through the forest so I wouldn’t miss Dad if he came home… Suddenly, I heard a rustle of leaves. I searched for the culprit with my torch. No-one was there. “It was me,” I reassured myself. I needed to hear my Grandma’s story she had promised me. The trees were taller than I expected, they looked like they had been struck by lightening a thousand times. I would risk anything for Grandma... 4
After a bit of time, I saw a boy. He looked a somewhat pale. Strangely, a cow was standing next to him. “Do you want a nice cow?” he asked, pointing at his animal. I looked at him, then the cow. “Err, no thanks. I’ve already got one,” I lied. (Why would I want one?) He glared at me. “Can I at least have a bit of that sweet fruit-cake?” He questioned me. I pulled the basket closer to me. How did he know I had a fruit cake? “No! It’s for my sick Grandma,” I replied. “I’m sick,” he told me. His voice echoed. “You look it,” I said, calmly. “Give me cake!” He shouted. He sounded like a cave-man. You couldn't want cake that much could you? I began to walk off. When I looked back, He had vanished. Strange... 5
As I went further into the deep forest, another child appeared. It was a girl. She had golden hair. She reminded me of someone, but I didn’t know who. She looked at my basket greedily, swishing her plaits. “Where are you going on a picnic?” She asked curiously. “No I’m not going on a picnic. I’m bringing a cake to my poorly Grandma. My mum made it,” I answered. “I would like a lovely, nice, tasty cake. Can I have it?” The girl enquired. “No!” I replied, getting bored and annoyed. I began to walk off. I felt the girl’s eyes piercing my back. “I would like a lovely, nice, tasty cake like that,” I heard her repeat. I ignored her and walked on...
6
The forest became colder by the minute, it also became darker. Suddenly, I saw two children leaning on a tree near a fire. There was a boy and a girl. The girl was crying softly. Intrigued, I studied them... “Have you seen our Mum and Dad?” The boy asked, looking hopeful. I shook my head. “They’re cutting wood for our fire,” The girl said sadly. I ventured on, only hearing the girl’s continuous sobs. I felt sorry for them. What could I do for them, though? I flicked my torch on; it was getting too dark now...
7
After a short while, I grew colder. I wondered why I hadn’t brought a coat. Instantly, a red coat appeared as if by magic hanging on a tree. Somehow, I felt it was for me. Then, I remembered a story Grandma used to tell me. I put it on. I wasn’t cold anymore. There wasn’t much more left to walk to Grandma’s house. I suspected that there were eyes watching me. I looked around. Noone was there, or so it appeared….
8
Finally, relived, I saw Grandma’s house. It was surrounded by trees. I ran over to it, as quick as I could. I knocked on the door. No answer. I knocked on the door again. “Come in dear,” came a voice that didn’t sound like Grandma’s. I suddenly grew terrified. Cautiously, I stepped in...
9
There, at the kitchen table was: Grandma, the wolf and… Dad! “Hello dear, I see you’ve found my long lost coat! By the way, this is my old friend, Wolfie,” Grandma said happily to me. Automatically Wolfie bowed to me. “Dad, what are you doing here? Grandma, I’ve brought you some cake. Hi Wolfie, Grandma always tells me about you,” I answered, giving Grandma the cake. She put it on the table, next to her cup of tea. I was confused, Grandma always told me wolves were bad. Apparently not this one...
10
The next day, we were all back at my house: Me, Mum, Grandma, Wolfie and Dad. Grandma had moved in so we could care for her if she got any worse. Grandma wouldn’t move in if Wolfie didn’t come with her. So, there we all were, at home, together.
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