Into the Forest

Into the Forest One night I was woken up by a terrible sound. The next morning all was quiet. Dad wasn’t there. I asked Mum when he was coming back but she didn’t seem to know. I missed Dad. The next day Mum asked me to take a cake to Grandma, who was poorly. I love Grandma. She always tells me such fantastic stories. There are two ways to get to Grandma’s house: the long way round, which takes ages, or the short way through the forest. “Don’t go into the forest,” said Mum. “Go the long way round.” But that day, for the first time, I chose the quick way. I wanted to be home in case Dad came back. After a short while I saw a boy. “Do you want to buy a nice milky moo-cow?” he asked. “No,” I said. (Why would I want a cow?) “I’ll swap it for that sweet fruity cake in your basket,” he said. “No, it’s for my poorly grandma,” I said, and walked on. “I’m poorly,” I heard him saying, “I’m poorly…” As I went further into the forest I met a girl with golden hair. “What a sweet little basket,” she said. “What’s in it?” “A cake for my grandma. She’s poorly.” “I’d like a lovely cake like that,” she said. I walked on and could hear her saying, “But it’s a lovely little cake, I’d like one like that…” The forest was becoming darker and colder, and I saw two other children huddling by a fire. “Have you seen our dad and mum?” the boy asked. “No, have you lost them?” “They’re cutting wood in the forest somewhere,” said the girl, “but I wish they’d come back.” As I walked on I could hear the dreadful sound of the girl crying, but what could I do? I was getting very cold and wished that I’d brought a coat. Suddenly I saw one. It was nice and warm, but as soon as I put it on I began to feel scared. I felt that something was following me. I remembered a story that Grandma used to tell me about a bad wolf. I started to run, but I couldn’t find the path. I ran and ran, deeper into the forest, but I was lost. Where was Grandma’s house? At last—there it was! I knocked on the door and a voice called out, “Who’s there?” But it didn’t really sound like Grandma’s voice. “It’s me. I’ve brought a cake from Mum,” I pushed the door open a little. “Come in, dear,” the strange voice called. I was terrified. I slowly crept in. There in Grandma’s bed was … Grandma! “Come here, love,” she sniffed. “How are you?” “I’m all right now,” I said. Then, I heard a noise behind me and turned round … DAD! I told them everything that had happened. We all had a hot drink and I ate two pieces of Mum’s delicious cake. Then we said goodbye to Grandma, who was feeling much better. When we got home I pushed open the door. “Who’s there?” a voice called. “It’s only us,” we said. And Mum came out, smiling.