Letters from Lupus
(1)
Dear Sis,
It was a madhouse for a while, but things are finally settling down, now that all my furniture is moved in. I hate having to settle into a new community, and being a wolf doesn't make things any easier. But I guess I wasn't really expecting anything different. After all, it was my choice to leave the pack and take up residence in town.
You?d love the cave I found, Sis! It's deep and dry, with a beautiful sandy floor, and a great view. I'm halfway up a hill in the suburbs, and when I get up in the morning I can watch the sun rise just across the river and the mists curl away. The town is a little gem! All the houses are different, but they fit together with a kind of patchwork craziness that seems just right. I hope you can get away soon and visit, before the cubs come.
Sorry this can't be more than a quick note, but I want to get down to market and meet some of my neighbors. I figure, if I start out on the right paw, I can overcome all the prejudices against our kind, and make a few friends!
Love,
Lupus
(2)
Dear Sis,
It was great seeing you! You're looking terrific! I would never have guessed you were so close to whelping! The Old Woman from the shoe down the road was asking about you almost immediately after you left. She's taken quite an interest in your coming family - probably because she has so many children of her own. I don't know how she does it!
I want to thank you again for helping me. You were right; the cave needed a woman's touch. (Sorry - hope the human reference doesn't offend you.) It's so much cheerier, I'm actually looking forward to that cave-warming you helped arrange. And guess what - all my neighbors will be coming! Even poor Turkey-Lurkey is going to try to ignore his fear of caves (remember the nasty escape he had from that rogue fox?). I owe all that to you, too. You were so charming to everyone that they almost forgot what we are! You know, I think I'm going to like it here!
Love,
Lupus
(3)
Dear Sis,
Just a quick note to let you know - the cave warming was terrific! Everyone was at ease - even Turkey-Lurkey loosened up and let his feathers down! Sis, I'm so happy - I feel like I'm in a fairy-tale!
I have to clean up and get to bed now. Say 'hi' to my favorite brother-in-law for me, and give the rest of the pack my love. And tell them I'm going to be just fine!
Love,
Lupus
(4)
Dear Sis,
Congratulations! Lycan dropped me a line and said your litter was the finest he's seen since Ulfra's octet. I can't wait to get over and see the little pups! I'll bring the Old Woman along - she's got Mother Goose to look after her circus. She's dying to see you. She's writing down all sorts of advice on how to deal with more than six at a time. Humor the old dear - she keeps forgetting this is your third litter!
I'm doing fine, except that I've somehow managed to get three of my neighbors mad at me. Remember the Pig brothers, the triplets, who moved in down the road just after I did? I saw them at the market the other day, and they just turned up their snouts and didn't say a word. I asked Jack and Jill about it on their way up to their well, and they think the Pigs are offended because I didn't invite them to my cave warming. I thought the Pigs would be too busy settling in themselves. Jill said she understood that, but "you know how Pigs are". I know they're right, but I hate to have anyone upset with me so soon, even Pigs. I've worked hard to get the residents of this place to accept me; all I need is for a bunch of Pigs to spoil it all!
Anyway, that's enough of my problems. You just take it easy, get plenty of rest, and let the family look after you. The Old Woman and I will be around to visit you as soon as you're up to it.
Love,
Lupus
(5)
Dear Sis,
Please forgive the messy paw writing, but I'm steamed! Those Pig brothers are out to ruin me!
I decided, after visiting with you, to go down and make peace with them directly, like you suggested. The three of them are getting on each other's nerves, I guess, living in that pen together (good thing they're bachelors!), so they're building houses. One of them, at least, has some sense - he's using bricks. But the other two - are you ready for this? One of them is using sticks, and the other, straw!
Stupid, right? I decided they needed some good advice, so I suggested - very nicely, too - that their houses would be a little sturdier if they used bricks, like their brother. I even offered to help them, but would you believe it? - they told me to take my advice and shove it! Isn't that just like a Pig, though? But wait - that isn't the end of it. A couple of days later, the wind started kicking up, so I figured I?d try once more to be neighborly. I went down to the straw house first, and then to the stick house, to see if I could help them strengthen the structures. But each time I asked if I could come in, they gave me some smart-alecky "not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin" answer. I warned them the wind would blow their houses in, but they ignored me, so I went to the brick house, since that brother had a little sense. But he gave me the same snotty "chinny-chin-chin" routine. So I gave up, came home, made a pot of tea, and waited for the wind to blow those stupid houses away.
I was right, of course. By late afternoon, when I went down to market to pick up the latest gossip, there was nothing left of those "houses" but a few twigs and wisps of hay. I was feeling pretty smug until I found out that I was supposed to have gone around huffing and puffing and blowing those miserable shacks down myself! Of course, it was too late to correct those lies, so I just came home and spent the rest of the evening alone in my cave. I stayed here all yesterday and today, and no one's come to see me. I wouldn't be surprised if those filthy little liars have told everyone I tried to eat them. As if I would waste my teeth on such trash!
Anyway, Sis, I'm sorry your plan backfired. But then, I guess you're not used to dealing with Pigs. You can't trust them, Sis. If you give them half a chance, they'll boil you alive!
Thanks for letting me unload on you. Give Varkas my best, and tell him I'm counting on him to treat my favourite sister well. I'll be up your way soon with the Old Woman, if she's still talking to me.
Love,
Lupus
(6)
Dear Sis,
The Old Woman and I will be up this weekend. She's a treasure - she convinced everyone the Pig brothers were over-reacting and that I wouldn't hurt anyone. I don't know what I?d do without her.
As far as going to the Pigs and trying to patch things up - no way! I know you mean well, but I think it would be best for all concerned if I just leave them alone.
See you in a couple of days - expect us around noon.
Love,
Lupus
(7)
Dear Sis,
I can't get over how beautiful my new nieces and nephews are! Lycan was wrong--they're even finer than Ulfra's litter! And the Old Woman was simply charmed by them and by Varkas. She couldn't stop chattering about either of them all the way home, except to encourage me to take your advice and talk to the Pig brothers once more. She even made me stop at the brick house where the three of them are living now. And you were right. I talked with the sensible one, and he was most gracious. He apologized for the misunderstanding, and suggested we get together tomorrow morning and gather turnips. You know I can't stand turnips, but I agreed, since it'll give us some time to get acquainted. As you said, maybe that's all we really need.
Oh, before I forget, the Old Woman was quite impressed with your apple pie and wanted me to ask for your recipe. I've been meaning to ask for it myself - you know how I love it!
Love,
Lupus
(8)
Dear Sis,
Just a quick note, since I know you're anxious to hear how the turnip hunting went. Actually, it didn't. I must've gotten the time wrong, because when I got to their house, the Pig had been out and back already. But we're getting together next week to gather apples, so your recipe will come in handy. I might even bake a pie for the Pigs. How's that for diplomacy?
Love,
Lupus
(9)
Dear Sis,
Thanks for the recipe; the pie came out just right. The Pigs, however, will have to do without. I have the distinct impression that the smart one is making fun of me. I went to the orchard to meet him, like I told you; only I was there an hour early just in case I got the time wrong again. And guess what - he had already been there an hour! He was up one of the trees, and I might have passed right by if the wind hadn't changed direction. (I do wish he'd bathe once in a while!) He claimed he couldn't wait, since the apples were so good, and he threw one down for me. I think he tossed it a little harder than necessary. It rolled quite a distance, and by the time I got back, he was gone. So I just gathered my own apples, and came back and baked a pie for myself.
By the way, the Old Woman was just tickled with your recipe. She'll be dropping you a line as soon as she gets a moment with all her kids. I told her about the apple incident, and she thinks I should give the Pig one more chance. There's a county fair coming up next week; maybe I'll invite him to go with me.
Wish me luck!
Love,
Lupus
(10)
My dear Lupinna,
First, let me tell you how delicious those pies were! My shoe smelled heavenly for days, and the children just loved them! Dear Mother Goose herself stopped by for a bite, and begged me for the recipe, if you wouldn't mind.
My dear, I'm afraid I have some bad news. Your poor brother is laid up in the hospital with some nasty burns, and I'm afraid it's my fault, at least a little. I really shouldn't have pressed him to go to the fair with that Pig, but I really did think it was for the best. I do hope you'll forgive me.
As far as I can understand, Lupus arranged to meet the Pig brother at the fair, then went two hours early just to be sure. But that sly Pig went three hours early! The milkmaid, all forlorn (who milked the cow with the crumpled horn), sold the Pig a butter churn. He must have crawled into it just as your brother was coming up Jack and Jill's hill and rolled right down the hill at him, because Lupus says some big wooden thing that squealed at him like a banshee attacked him.
Well, my dear, to make a long story short, when poor Lupus realized what had happened, that dear, sweet boy finally lost his temper. Not that I blame him - goodness, no! But I do wish he hadn't been so hasty! He marched right over to the Pigs' house, pounded on the door, and demanded to be let in. Of course, they refused. And then he did a very foolish thing. He climbed on top of the roof and slid right down the chimney, if you can believe it!
Well, naturally, my dear, those Pigs were ready for him. They had a huge kettle of boiling water sitting on the hearth, and he landed right in it. Took off all his hair and most of his hide before he could get out. It's a wonder the poor dear wasn't boiled alive! As it is, he'll be weeks recovering.
Now, dear, I know how much this must shock you. I really didn't know any other way to tell you. But please don't worry. I'll take care of him. You just worry about those darling little ones of yours!
Affectionately,
The Old Woman
in the Shoe
(11)
Dear Sis,
Thanks so much for visiting me while I was laid up. I'm sorry I didn't write for so long, especially after they released me, but a lot happened at once. Would you believe it? - the day I got home, the town council came and informed me that I was a bad influence on the neighborhood, and that I would have to move! Those stinking Pigs have them believing that I'm going to murder them all! I just packed up and moved out as soon as I could. The Old Woman, bless her heart, was going to help me, but I insisted she stay away - no sense getting the community riled at her, too.
Still, I guess it's all for the best. I've moved to a new cave, deep in the forest, where I can have a little peace and quiet. It's cool and green and isolated, and very soothing to my nerves. Please bring Varkas and the pups to visit soon; I know they'll love it.
Oh, I do have a couple of neighbors, if you can call them that. They actually live on either side of the forest. There's a little old lady to the east, something of an invalid, and her granddaughter to the west, a charming kid who wears a pretty, red hooded cape. The granddaughter comes through the forest every so often to visit the old lady, and passes fairly close by my new place. I'm going to introduce myself to her one of these days. She seems very sweet; I can't imagine having any problems with her at all!
Love,
Lupus
THE END
Copyright ?2001 by Stephen M. Larson
Read more stories at Acoustic Words
Dear Sis,
It was a madhouse for a while, but things are finally settling down, now that all my furniture is moved in. I hate having to settle into a new community, and being a wolf doesn't make things any easier. But I guess I wasn't really expecting anything different. After all, it was my choice to leave the pack and take up residence in town.
You?d love the cave I found, Sis! It's deep and dry, with a beautiful sandy floor, and a great view. I'm halfway up a hill in the suburbs, and when I get up in the morning I can watch the sun rise just across the river and the mists curl away. The town is a little gem! All the houses are different, but they fit together with a kind of patchwork craziness that seems just right. I hope you can get away soon and visit, before the cubs come.
Sorry this can't be more than a quick note, but I want to get down to market and meet some of my neighbors. I figure, if I start out on the right paw, I can overcome all the prejudices against our kind, and make a few friends!
Love,
Lupus
(2)
Dear Sis,
It was great seeing you! You're looking terrific! I would never have guessed you were so close to whelping! The Old Woman from the shoe down the road was asking about you almost immediately after you left. She's taken quite an interest in your coming family - probably because she has so many children of her own. I don't know how she does it!
I want to thank you again for helping me. You were right; the cave needed a woman's touch. (Sorry - hope the human reference doesn't offend you.) It's so much cheerier, I'm actually looking forward to that cave-warming you helped arrange. And guess what - all my neighbors will be coming! Even poor Turkey-Lurkey is going to try to ignore his fear of caves (remember the nasty escape he had from that rogue fox?). I owe all that to you, too. You were so charming to everyone that they almost forgot what we are! You know, I think I'm going to like it here!
Love,
Lupus
(3)
Dear Sis,
Just a quick note to let you know - the cave warming was terrific! Everyone was at ease - even Turkey-Lurkey loosened up and let his feathers down! Sis, I'm so happy - I feel like I'm in a fairy-tale!
I have to clean up and get to bed now. Say 'hi' to my favorite brother-in-law for me, and give the rest of the pack my love. And tell them I'm going to be just fine!
Love,
Lupus
(4)
Dear Sis,
Congratulations! Lycan dropped me a line and said your litter was the finest he's seen since Ulfra's octet. I can't wait to get over and see the little pups! I'll bring the Old Woman along - she's got Mother Goose to look after her circus. She's dying to see you. She's writing down all sorts of advice on how to deal with more than six at a time. Humor the old dear - she keeps forgetting this is your third litter!
I'm doing fine, except that I've somehow managed to get three of my neighbors mad at me. Remember the Pig brothers, the triplets, who moved in down the road just after I did? I saw them at the market the other day, and they just turned up their snouts and didn't say a word. I asked Jack and Jill about it on their way up to their well, and they think the Pigs are offended because I didn't invite them to my cave warming. I thought the Pigs would be too busy settling in themselves. Jill said she understood that, but "you know how Pigs are". I know they're right, but I hate to have anyone upset with me so soon, even Pigs. I've worked hard to get the residents of this place to accept me; all I need is for a bunch of Pigs to spoil it all!
Anyway, that's enough of my problems. You just take it easy, get plenty of rest, and let the family look after you. The Old Woman and I will be around to visit you as soon as you're up to it.
Love,
Lupus
(5)
Dear Sis,
Please forgive the messy paw writing, but I'm steamed! Those Pig brothers are out to ruin me!
I decided, after visiting with you, to go down and make peace with them directly, like you suggested. The three of them are getting on each other's nerves, I guess, living in that pen together (good thing they're bachelors!), so they're building houses. One of them, at least, has some sense - he's using bricks. But the other two - are you ready for this? One of them is using sticks, and the other, straw!
Stupid, right? I decided they needed some good advice, so I suggested - very nicely, too - that their houses would be a little sturdier if they used bricks, like their brother. I even offered to help them, but would you believe it? - they told me to take my advice and shove it! Isn't that just like a Pig, though? But wait - that isn't the end of it. A couple of days later, the wind started kicking up, so I figured I?d try once more to be neighborly. I went down to the straw house first, and then to the stick house, to see if I could help them strengthen the structures. But each time I asked if I could come in, they gave me some smart-alecky "not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin" answer. I warned them the wind would blow their houses in, but they ignored me, so I went to the brick house, since that brother had a little sense. But he gave me the same snotty "chinny-chin-chin" routine. So I gave up, came home, made a pot of tea, and waited for the wind to blow those stupid houses away.
I was right, of course. By late afternoon, when I went down to market to pick up the latest gossip, there was nothing left of those "houses" but a few twigs and wisps of hay. I was feeling pretty smug until I found out that I was supposed to have gone around huffing and puffing and blowing those miserable shacks down myself! Of course, it was too late to correct those lies, so I just came home and spent the rest of the evening alone in my cave. I stayed here all yesterday and today, and no one's come to see me. I wouldn't be surprised if those filthy little liars have told everyone I tried to eat them. As if I would waste my teeth on such trash!
Anyway, Sis, I'm sorry your plan backfired. But then, I guess you're not used to dealing with Pigs. You can't trust them, Sis. If you give them half a chance, they'll boil you alive!
Thanks for letting me unload on you. Give Varkas my best, and tell him I'm counting on him to treat my favourite sister well. I'll be up your way soon with the Old Woman, if she's still talking to me.
Love,
Lupus
(6)
Dear Sis,
The Old Woman and I will be up this weekend. She's a treasure - she convinced everyone the Pig brothers were over-reacting and that I wouldn't hurt anyone. I don't know what I?d do without her.
As far as going to the Pigs and trying to patch things up - no way! I know you mean well, but I think it would be best for all concerned if I just leave them alone.
See you in a couple of days - expect us around noon.
Love,
Lupus
(7)
Dear Sis,
I can't get over how beautiful my new nieces and nephews are! Lycan was wrong--they're even finer than Ulfra's litter! And the Old Woman was simply charmed by them and by Varkas. She couldn't stop chattering about either of them all the way home, except to encourage me to take your advice and talk to the Pig brothers once more. She even made me stop at the brick house where the three of them are living now. And you were right. I talked with the sensible one, and he was most gracious. He apologized for the misunderstanding, and suggested we get together tomorrow morning and gather turnips. You know I can't stand turnips, but I agreed, since it'll give us some time to get acquainted. As you said, maybe that's all we really need.
Oh, before I forget, the Old Woman was quite impressed with your apple pie and wanted me to ask for your recipe. I've been meaning to ask for it myself - you know how I love it!
Love,
Lupus
(8)
Dear Sis,
Just a quick note, since I know you're anxious to hear how the turnip hunting went. Actually, it didn't. I must've gotten the time wrong, because when I got to their house, the Pig had been out and back already. But we're getting together next week to gather apples, so your recipe will come in handy. I might even bake a pie for the Pigs. How's that for diplomacy?
Love,
Lupus
(9)
Dear Sis,
Thanks for the recipe; the pie came out just right. The Pigs, however, will have to do without. I have the distinct impression that the smart one is making fun of me. I went to the orchard to meet him, like I told you; only I was there an hour early just in case I got the time wrong again. And guess what - he had already been there an hour! He was up one of the trees, and I might have passed right by if the wind hadn't changed direction. (I do wish he'd bathe once in a while!) He claimed he couldn't wait, since the apples were so good, and he threw one down for me. I think he tossed it a little harder than necessary. It rolled quite a distance, and by the time I got back, he was gone. So I just gathered my own apples, and came back and baked a pie for myself.
By the way, the Old Woman was just tickled with your recipe. She'll be dropping you a line as soon as she gets a moment with all her kids. I told her about the apple incident, and she thinks I should give the Pig one more chance. There's a county fair coming up next week; maybe I'll invite him to go with me.
Wish me luck!
Love,
Lupus
(10)
My dear Lupinna,
First, let me tell you how delicious those pies were! My shoe smelled heavenly for days, and the children just loved them! Dear Mother Goose herself stopped by for a bite, and begged me for the recipe, if you wouldn't mind.
My dear, I'm afraid I have some bad news. Your poor brother is laid up in the hospital with some nasty burns, and I'm afraid it's my fault, at least a little. I really shouldn't have pressed him to go to the fair with that Pig, but I really did think it was for the best. I do hope you'll forgive me.
As far as I can understand, Lupus arranged to meet the Pig brother at the fair, then went two hours early just to be sure. But that sly Pig went three hours early! The milkmaid, all forlorn (who milked the cow with the crumpled horn), sold the Pig a butter churn. He must have crawled into it just as your brother was coming up Jack and Jill's hill and rolled right down the hill at him, because Lupus says some big wooden thing that squealed at him like a banshee attacked him.
Well, my dear, to make a long story short, when poor Lupus realized what had happened, that dear, sweet boy finally lost his temper. Not that I blame him - goodness, no! But I do wish he hadn't been so hasty! He marched right over to the Pigs' house, pounded on the door, and demanded to be let in. Of course, they refused. And then he did a very foolish thing. He climbed on top of the roof and slid right down the chimney, if you can believe it!
Well, naturally, my dear, those Pigs were ready for him. They had a huge kettle of boiling water sitting on the hearth, and he landed right in it. Took off all his hair and most of his hide before he could get out. It's a wonder the poor dear wasn't boiled alive! As it is, he'll be weeks recovering.
Now, dear, I know how much this must shock you. I really didn't know any other way to tell you. But please don't worry. I'll take care of him. You just worry about those darling little ones of yours!
Affectionately,
The Old Woman
in the Shoe
(11)
Dear Sis,
Thanks so much for visiting me while I was laid up. I'm sorry I didn't write for so long, especially after they released me, but a lot happened at once. Would you believe it? - the day I got home, the town council came and informed me that I was a bad influence on the neighborhood, and that I would have to move! Those stinking Pigs have them believing that I'm going to murder them all! I just packed up and moved out as soon as I could. The Old Woman, bless her heart, was going to help me, but I insisted she stay away - no sense getting the community riled at her, too.
Still, I guess it's all for the best. I've moved to a new cave, deep in the forest, where I can have a little peace and quiet. It's cool and green and isolated, and very soothing to my nerves. Please bring Varkas and the pups to visit soon; I know they'll love it.
Oh, I do have a couple of neighbors, if you can call them that. They actually live on either side of the forest. There's a little old lady to the east, something of an invalid, and her granddaughter to the west, a charming kid who wears a pretty, red hooded cape. The granddaughter comes through the forest every so often to visit the old lady, and passes fairly close by my new place. I'm going to introduce myself to her one of these days. She seems very sweet; I can't imagine having any problems with her at all!
Love,
Lupus
THE END
Copyright ?2001 by Stephen M. Larson
Read more stories at Acoustic Words
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