Everything was quieter
and darker.
The girl felt very cold
and very scared.
"I don't know," she said sadly.
"Yes you do," the wolf told her.
"Take a deep breath. Close
your eyes, then look. What do
you see?"
A little girl and her mother are out berry picking when she wanders away, and finds herself lost in the woods. As would any child, she feels fear. It is getting cold, and she cannot see anything familiar. Luckily, a wolf appears - a wolf with a heart, and compassion for the little lost girl. Asking important questions while taking his place beside her, the wolf is able to calm her and help her think about all that she does know. He talks to her about hunger. She looks around and sees berries and water nearby. They will assuage her hunger.
When she still doesn't know what to do, he asks other questions. With guidance, she notices familiar trees, and recognizes the smell of the family campfire. She runs in that direction, while looking for the wolf that was beside her. The wolf is gone. She rushes to her mother, and shares her story. Her mother hears her story, and tells her:
"Real wolves can hurt people, but I've heard
old stories about wolves who help lost children, too."
Lucky the little one was, to meet that kind of wolf. To show her gratitude she leaves a very special gift.
While this is not a traditional fairy tale, it certainly has elements of the Red Riding Hood story. Julie Flett dresses the child in a bright red dress, keeping attention on her throughout the telling. The wolf's kind questions and gentle guidance allow her to dig deep and find the inner strength she needs to think through her dilemma and find a wise solution.
In an author's note, Ms. Vermette explains:
"It is inspired by traditional stories, yes, but in no way taken from one.
Tobacco is one of the four sacred medicines. It can be enclosed in a tie
of cloth, or simply given, in thanks or to ask for something respectfully."
Lovely and memorable.
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