Frau Trude

Once there is a little girl. Her name is Lily. She does not like to listen. Mama says, "Eat your soup." Lily says no. Papa says, "Come inside." Lily does not come.

Near the town there is a house. It has dark windows. The roof is old and crooked. Weeds grow by the door. No one goes near it. Lily wants to see it. "I want to go there," she says.

"No," says Mama. "Do not go there." Papa shakes his head. "It is not safe," he says. They look at Lily with big eyes. "Please, Lily. Stay home."

But Lily does not listen. She walks to the old house. The path is dark. The trees are tall.

The door opens. An old woman stands there. She looks at Lily. "Why so afraid?" asks Old Frau Trude. Lily's hands shake. Her heart beats fast.

"I saw a big black cat," says Lily. "It sat on your steps."

"I saw a green bird," says Lily. "It sat on your roof."

"I saw a red fox," says Lily. "It ran by your door."

Old Frau Trude laughs. "That is just my cat," she says. "Just a bird." "Just a fox."

"But," says Lily. Her voice is small. "I looked in the window. I saw your face. You had glowing eyes. And a scary face."

Old Frau Trude smiles a slow smile. "Yes," she says. "You saw the real me. I am a witch."

Then Old Frau Trude waves her hand. Lily cannot move. She is frozen like a statue. She cannot talk. She cannot run. She is all alone.

But Mama and Papa look for Lily. They walk and walk. They call her name. "Lily! Lily!" They find the old house. "Give us back our girl!" says Papa. Mama holds up a bright light. The spell breaks. Lily can move again! She runs to Mama and Papa. She holds them tight. "I am sorry," says Lily. "I did not listen." "I will listen now." Mama holds one hand. Papa holds the other. They walk home.

And from that day, Lily always listens.