Prologue

"When the big bad wolf awoke, he was terribly thirsty. So, with his belly full of stones, he slowly made his way to the river for a drink. But he slipped and fell into the water, and the current swept him away."

Arila closed the storybook and gently stroked Kadro's cheek.

"Did you like the story, sweetheart? The wicked wolf was finally punished. Now he can never eat anyone again."

Kadro did not answer. He looked up at his mother with clear, bright eyes, then down at the wolf on the cover of the book.

"Mommy, why were the humans allowed to cut open the wolf's belly and fill it with stones? Wasn't that cruel too? I wouldn't want anyone putting stones inside me."

"Sweetheart, the wolf wanted to eat people, and…"

"But he fell into the river. What if his mother and father can't find him? Did he have children? What if they're still waiting for him to come home?"

Arila opened her mouth, but she did not know which question to answer first.

"All right, sweetheart. I think it's time for you to sleep."

She placed the storybook beside the bed, pulled the quilt over Kadro's shoulders, and carefully tucked in both sides.

"I think those are very good questions. There are many things in this world that may not be quite what they seem. We'll talk about it tomorrow, all right?"

Kadro nodded once and obediently closed his eyes.

But even after a long while, his brow remained furrowed.

He saw the wolf struggling in the rushing river. Its mouth was open, as if it were crying out for help, but the water washed over its face again and again, and no matter how hard Kadro listened, he could not make out what it was trying to say.

And so Kadro fell into a deep sleep, still wearing that troubled frown.