A Difficult Journey
Judging from the sun’s position, it must have been around 7:30 in the morning. How many days and nights she had now seen Goldilocks did not know, but she continued her trek through the woods and brush with difficulty. Feeling she would collapse from exhaustion at any moment, she pressed on, reminding herself of the evil behind her. Confident that not enough distance nor time had yet passed between her and those pursuing, her pace quickened.
Was she still heading north, or had she lost her way? Slightly disoriented, she remembered her parents’ directions just before her escape, and reaffirming her confidence, she continued steadfastly. Whatever it was they wanted her to find would be in this direction. Her parents… Were they okay? Ominous thoughts filled her mind, and the reality of her dire situation came crashing down upon her, adding physical weight to her already tired body. Shaking her head in an attempt to put off the thoughts proved futile. Recalling what they said just before being dragged away, her parents’ voices resounded in her ears…
‘Head north, and you will find their house. It’s up to you now, Goldi. There are others like you. You are our only hope… Only you can stop the evil prince Satanás.’
Despair Calling
Satanás… Her face flushed red with anger, and her heart filled with sadness. He was the evil prince from the south who, for some time, had been raiding villages across the land. Those who did not submit willingly were chained and led off to the Nothing—at least that’s what it was called—never to be seen again. Were her parents taken away to the Nothing? Goldilocks winced at the thought.
Just then, she lost her footing and tripped over a stubborn root. She hit the ground hard with her right knee, taking the brunt of the fall. “That’s going to bruise,” she said in a frustrated whisper. Her knee was already beginning to swell, so she quickly found a sturdy limb to use as a crutch. “It’s too dangerous to stop now, I must keep going.” Despair began to fill her heart.
Hope Restored
Before giving in, she emerged from the dark, foreboding woods into a lush clearing, covered with green grass and a stunning assortment of flowers. Standing still, she breathed in the scenery as the wind danced across the field, swaying the grass and endless colors in listless waves. The sun warmed her cold face, and newfound hope began welling up inside. After opening her eyes again, her gaze fixed upon a small cabin toward the back left side of the field.
Slowly hobbling along, she made her way toward the wooden structure. A few moments later, she found her knock at the door was louder than she anticipated. Although she was certain her pursuers were lost in the woods, careful and calculated movements were necessary. Waiting long enough for someone to answer, Goldilocks tried the knob. Knowing she should not walk into a stranger’s home unannounced nor without invitation, fear and exhaustion compelled her forward. Finding the door unlocked, she moved slowly into the main room of the cabin.
The House
It was quaint and homey. Family pictures, knick-knacks, books, and various other items filled the room, giving it a touch of serenity. As she stood idle, admiring that feeling of home, the thought of losing hers arrested her attention, and tears began to fill her eyes. She wiped them away with her dirty hand. Grumbles, growls, and a tinge of pain reminded her that many days had passed since her last meal. Finding the kitchen, she noticed three large bowls of porridge on the table.
Trying the first, she found it too cold and the second too hot. However, upon trying the third, she found it suited her taste, and she finished every bite. After eating, she made her way to the last room in the cabin, where there were three beds. Nervous but desperately needing rest, she tried the first bed, ‘too hard,’ she thought. Upon trying the second, she grumbled, ‘too soft,’ but upon trying the third and finding it just right, she nestled in and fell into a deep slumber.
The Bears
Startled from sleep by low growls and whispers, Goldilocks sprang from the bed in fear and panic, stumbling and nearly falling to the ground. Just before crashing against the hardwood floor, the smallest of the three Bears caught Goldilocks, supporting her until she regained balance. Standing before her were three hefty Bears looking hungry and quite possibly willing to do to this intruder what she had done to the bowl of porridge.
“Don’t be startled, love,” said one Bear. “My name is Momma Bear, this is Daddy Bear, and he is Baby Bear. What is your name?”
Goldilocks eyed all three Bears cautiously. While Momma and Baby Bear displayed warm smiles to accompany their pleasant countenance, Daddy Bear postured pursed lips and suspicious eyes. She noticed Daddy Bear wore a longsword on his side and a shield upon his back. Momma Bear carried two Sabers on her back and Baby Bear a sturdy, long bow with a quiver full of arrows.
“My… my name is Goldilocks, I don’t mean you any harm, honestly, I have been traveling for days. I barely escaped my village just before they took my parents, and … I got scared, I hurt myself, I haven’t eaten in days, and I was so tired…I..”
“Calm down, deary, we’re not going to hurt you.” Momma Bear assured Goldilocks. “You’re safe now. Let’s go into the sitting room so we can have some tea and talk. Would you like that?” Baby Bear nestled up close to Goldilocks so he could support her on his shoulder as she tried to walk.
As they made their way into the adjacent den, Momma Bear went to put the kettle on the stove. Baby Bear carefully helped Goldilocks into a spacious, soft chair and propped her leg up. As Daddy Bear sat down, a distrusting sigh ruffled from his still pursed lips.
“He means no harm,” Momma Bear said to Goldilocks as she made her way into the room; “you see our family has been through a lot recently on account of Satanás, and Daddy Bear is looking out for us, is all. Isn’t that right, Daddy Bear?”
“Hmm… Yes. That’s right…” Replied Daddy Bear gruffly.
“Did you say Satanás!!?” exclaimed Goldilocks.
“You know him?” Daddy Bear inquired, this time with more warmth in his voice.
“Know him, he is the reason I fled my village, the reason my parents were taken and…” As she fought back tears and anger, her voice trailed off into a silent murmur. After looking at Daddy Bear anxiously as if to convey some unsaid information, Momma Bear turned back to Goldilocks, “Are you okay?”
Unable to hold back, Goldilocks began weeping, dropping her head into her hands to shield her face. Baby Bear brought her a handkerchief, and Momma Bear sat next to her, squeezing her in a warm hug. After regaining composure, Goldilocks cleaned her face and tears as the kettle whistled loudly.
“Why don’t we have some tea to settle your nerves, and you can tell us all about it?” suggested Momma Bear as she retrieved a cup for each of them.
“Well,” Goldilocks said, taking a sip of her tea, “it started about a week ago. My parents always told me stories of an evil prince named Satanás whose kingdom was in the south. At one time in the past, he tried to take the north but failed and was banished. My parents called it the ‘great battle’ and said that he wouldn’t give up. One day, he would amass enough followers to conquer the northern lands.”
“Is that what happened to you, Goldi…” Interjected Baby Bear.
“Let her finish,” quipped Momma Bear.
“Yes, it was Baby Bear,” replied Goldilocks. “Our village was not given enough warning before he arrived. My parents told me that it was up to me. They said I was created for a special purpose and that there were others like me. I was to head north until I found a house; once there, I would be shown what to do. When I was far enough away from our village, I turned back and saw many being led away in chains, including my parents; then I began to weep loudly, giving away my position. Those with him spotted me and started chasing me, so I ran.
After some time, I believe I lost them, but I have been traveling through the woods and brush for days with nothing to eat and only streams to drink from. After falling, hurting my knee, and almost giving up hope, I made it out of the dark forest and into this field, where I found your cabin. I knocked first, but no one answered. I was scared and hurt. I tried the door, and when I realized it was unlocked, I came in. Going without food for days, I ate and then fell asleep from exhaustion.”
“Oh dear, you poor thing,” Momma said as she inquisitively weighed Daddy Bear’s expression. Daddy Bear nodded his head in agreement, and Momma Bear glanced nervously at Goldilocks. “We have something we need to show you.” Momma Bear retrieved a picture book covered in dust from a high shelf. Opening it, she pointed at an old picture of the bear family standing next to two others. “Are these your parents?”
