Wolf and Young Hee: A vorish series for all ages
By Wolf, Published by Misterebony
Book 4: Picnic

Being a Wolf has many advantages, but it also has many disadvantages. Being a wolf who can walk, talk, write, and even have a family rather than a pack makes the good and bad of being a wolf even more extreme.

For one thing, you always get type casted. Everyone expects a wolf to be like those fairytale wolves and blow houses down and eat little girls in red hoods. And it doesn't help when my little daughter, Young Hee, pretends she IS that little girl sometimes.

The school picnic today seemed to really bring this out. Truth be told, it was an experience, to say the least.

Let me tell you about it.

****************

It all began this morning in my home, a little cottage by the road, where on the other side the rice pattys grow, and every morning the delivery man passes by on his scooter just after the bus goes. It was family day at Young Hee's school, and Fridge Deer and myself had been asked to attend.

Fridge Deer shook his head no. It was all he could do, being mute as he was. But I decided to go for Young Hee. I had been to her school often, as I was the bus for the kids. Yes you heard right, I am the bus, not the bus driver. I'll tell more about that another time. FOr today, we were spending that morning preparing treats to take for the picnic that was tradition on family day. Fridge Deer helped, and Rabbit and Sea Turtle, my other kids besdies darling little Young Hee, helped taste some of the food. They had to, as I prefered meat.

You know, wolf and all.

"Papa." Young Hee said, the little five year old showing off her new sun dress. "Do I look pretty?"

"Yes Young Hee, very pretty." I replied, and it was true. She put on her little school hat and apron, and began to pack the food into a large basket. We had rice balls, vegetable rolls, a few ham wraps, and even a big pot of warm broth, the container for which we had made sure was sealed. We also packed plates, bowls, and napkins, and a few sets of utensils. Young Hee even snuck in some sweet sauce, though why I had no idea yet.

Then she asked it. "Papa, can I ride in your tummy?"

I sighed. I never should have let her the first time. She liked it far too much now. But it was helpful for work and in winter, and she was very tasty. So, relutantly, I nodded. I laid down on my belly and opened wide, letting Young Hee crawl inn as if I were a tiny cave. Once I felt her slide into my belly, I shut my mouth and stood up, rubbing where she was. Then I picked up the basket and walked of to where the picnic was.

*************

When we got there, the families of all the little girls were there already, and many were wide eyed and gasping as they saw me. They gasped again as I let Young Hee out, giggling and ready to play with her classmates, who took no notice. But then one adult spoke.

"It's the Big Bad WOlf!" The parent said, her face white, her finger trembling. 

"He'll eat our children!" Said a father, taking his daughter by the hand. I raised my paws and tried to explain, and the kids tried to help, but all I got for my trouble was a few purses on my head, until the teacher came out.

"PLEASE! EVERYONE!" She shouted, much to my relief as she got everyone's attention. "Wolf is a friend of the school, the father of Young Hee, and brings our kids to school every day. He can't and won't hurt you, in fact, he's as snuggly as a teddy bear!"

They were silent and looked at me, probably embarassed over trying to beat me up. hey weren't wrong that I eat the children (That was how I transport them to school after all), but I was no wild animal. 

SO they apologized, and I got to meet the parents. I even showed a few the little books I had written, and the parents found them... unusual, but cute. One asked if I ever ate the whole class for the fun of it, and I said no, I was not like the Big Bad Wolf even in that way.

"But you eat them to take to school, why not do it more often?" A mother asked, curious.

"I may be a good wolf," I began, "But not all wolves are nice. Many won't let their meal back out, and almost all won't bother to swallow whole. They just snip and snap. Having a daughter myself, I know that is something I must NEVER do. Besides, If I ate them too much they may get to like it, and that would be wrong."

The parents agreed. We then sat down for the picnic, and then I was in trouble. What none of us parents knew was that I had a suprise waiting, one the kids had been working on. When we sat down to the table, there it was at my seat, and I was red with embarassment.

It was Young Hee's class, wrapped up in cabbage and rice, covered in that sauce Young Hee had snuck out. I stared in shock, then chuckled. Another parent chuckled, then another laughed. It looked so silly that what else could we do? Besides, though I didn't eat the treat, the thought was rather nice.

They had just told me they liked me in their own little way. I just wshed they had just made me a card.

**************

Now don't get me wrong. I DID eat a few of them. Young Hee of course went first, followed by three of her friends. But the rest the families and I washed off with a hose. The picnic was a fun experience, one I loved dearly.

Now, as the moon shines overhead and Rabbit sleeps on the desk by where I work, I can hear the kids inside me, fast asleep. Oh I let them out for awhile, but they wanted back in again at dessert. They even made Fridge deer wrap them in dough, like I had done with Young Hee on that cold winter night. I can barely move other than to waddle with them inside me, but I am happy they enjoy it, and even happier that the parents accepted me.

Well, dear reader, Sleep is coming for me, and I know it will come for you soon as well. Dream sweet dreams and take care of yourselves, and never forget this: No matter who you are, you wil find friends, IF you know where to look.


THE END