The Black Notebook Tale

The Black Notebook Tale

There was once a popular fiction book that an author had once written. The tales of Red Riding Hood. Many versions have been taken from the original Little Red Riding Hood story, but what many do not know is that the book comes from a true story. A little black book holds contains this true tale and it had belonged to a young girl who lived in a small village that was tormented by a big bad wolf. It all began on a cold winter day.

The snow had fallen all night and into the next day, and there was no sign that it was going to end anytime soon. Kaylee strolled out of her mothers’ cottage and entered the forest that separated the village she lived in from her grandmother’s cottage. It was a special day because Kaylee was able to see her only grandmother once again now that the rumors in the village had finally quieted down. What Kaylee didn’t know at the time though was that something big, dangerous, and adventurous was about to happen…

As Kaylee knocked on ger grandmother’s front door she was surprised when a man answered. After she explained who she was the man stepped aside and invited her in as he smiled kindly. As her grandmother walked up to her, she handed her a cup of freshly brewed tea.

“Where’s the wolf?”

Her grandmother walked past her as she looked over at the man.

“Kaylee my dear, I would like for you to meet Elias.”

Kaylee stood in shock for a moment before looking back at her grandmother and she then let out a soft nervous laugh.

“Grandma I love you and I do not mind helping to protect you from the villagers, but seriously where is the wolf?”

Her grandmother gleamed happily then as she looked up to the man then back to Kaylee as she grabbed onto his arm gently.

“Elias is the wolf. He has a special ability that now you and I only know about now. He can change into this human form whenever he wants.”

Elias nodded at the stunned Kaylee.

“It is very nice to meet you, formally, miss Kaylee. Your grandmother speaks very highly of you and I have seen the hard work you have put in to protect her. For that, you have my loyalty.”

A few hours went by and both Kaylee and Elias got closer into knowing each other and being able to trust one another. Kaylee always knew that her grandmother studied natural herbal medicines and remedies and that Elias, furthermore known as the wolf, protected her grandmother from the raiding villagers. They have tried burning her house down, putting crosses into the grounds that surrounded her home, because they thought that she studied the black arts and was an evil being. They never tried to understand why she did what she did, and Kaylee resented them for that. Elias came into Kaylee’s grandmothers’ life a few years ago and he did a really good job at keeping her safe. Things have gotten increasingly more difficult for her grandmother to survive in peace. Kaylee started to get her food from the market and the wolf ran perimeter checks while she was out.

Later that evening when Kaylee got home, her mother pulled her aside as her father set the table. She informed her that she wanted her to take her belongings and stay with her grandmother for a few days, at least until the villagers calm down. Kaylee didn’t understand what was about to happen, or why her mother was ushing her out, but sure enough a few moments later an angry mob formed in the village streets and they chanted, “kill the witch!”. Kaylee grabbed her red coat that her mother had made for her, the nice burgundy material that kept Kaylee nice and warm during these cold winter months, and she dashed out of the cottage. Her mother shouted after her that she would stop by her grandmother’s house when it was safe, but to remain indoors until then.

A few hours later, Kaylee and Elias had properly barricaded all the windows, locked all of the doors, and sat with her grandmother on her large couch. As they waited for any signs of the mob to arrive, Kaylee came up with a thought, but it scared her. She pondered that if she and her grandmother could move way to a safer place, that no one from the village would be able to find them. But of course this world runs on money, and with her grandmother being reluctant on giving up her remedy recipes, she doubted they’d be able to find another village to live in peacefully without anyone questioning them. A knock on the back door made them all jump but as soon as Kaylee recognized the voice calling out as her mother’s she let out a heavy sigh of relief.

After Kaylee let her mother in she gave her a big hug.

“What’s happening?”

“Take your grandmother to a safe place. The villagers will be here shortly. I have spoken with your father and we agreed that it would be best for you to go with her so that way you both remain safe. Because you have been visiting her so much, they think you’re a witch too.”

“What? But I-“

Kaylee’s mother gave her another hug as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Your father and I have done all we can to try and convince the village leader that neither of you are evil or witches, but they won’t hear us out. We prepared two horses for you so you can ride out quicky, so you must go now.”

As Elias and Kaylee’s grandmother stepped into the room her grandmother smiled sadly, understanding the situation. When Kaylee’s mother noticed Elias though she paused for a moment.

“Oh, I’m sorry sir. I only brought two horses from the stables. I didn’t realize that you had company ma.”

Elias smiled as he shook her hand and then explained for her.

“Don’t worry, I can change into my wolf form and keep up with them with no problem.”

Kaylee’s mother frowned and gave her grandmother a confused look.

“The villagers have learned about Elias’ ability and they think I created a spell to change him into human form. He’s the wolf that has been keeping me safe. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier, I was afraid you’d think me crazy too.”

Kaylee’s mom nodded and then cleared her throat to keep her voice from breaking.

“I never thought you were crazy ma. I didn’t realize the wolf…er, I mean Mr. Elias here could do that. But it warms my heart knowing he’ll stay by your side no matter what.”

A moment later, loud shouting could be heard from the forest and Kaylee’s mother gave them each one last hug as she walked outside briskly with them. Take the horses and ride north. There’s another village around the mountain bend where you three will be safe. I have already sent word to the village leaders on that side and they have agreed to grant you all safety and a roof over your heads.”

Kaylee hopped onto her horse and after she placed her feet in the stirrups she looked down to her mother as she put some food into her saddle bag for their journey. After closing the clasp, she walked close to Kaylee and whispered to her.

“There’s a journal in your pack for you from me and your father. Use it to write anything you want in, like your dreams, hopes, keep it like a diary. Your father and I will see you both again soon someday when it is safe. We both love you very much, always know that.”

Kaylee nodded as she gave her mother a weak smile, trying to hold back her tears, but with that she nodded.

“I love you both too, very much.”

Days passed and they seemed endless. As promised, Elias kept watch over the girls as they slept, and helped get food and supplies when they were low on rations. A few mornings later the edge of village could be seen peaking above the horizon. Kaylee sighed with relief, and as she looked over to Elias then her grandmother, Elias let out a happy howl to signal their arrival. When they arrived at the village people flooded out to greet them with open arms. As Kaylee and her grandmother hopped off their horses, they smiled at each other as the villagers been offering their services to help get them situated. The days turned splendid as Kaylee began working directly for the village leaders, assisting them with documenting important paperwork that had to do with their crops, livestock, and workers, and she soon became a natural at it. Her grandmother lived in peace as well, and Kaylee came home to her every night after she was done with work. Her grandmother was given a new title, Herbalist, and became loved by everyone in the village because she taught them all she knew about medicinal herbs and unique remedies that cured the sick and injured in a matter of days.

One night, after Kaylee sent out a messenger hawk to give a letter to her mother and father, she climbed out onto the roof of her new cottage and sighed happily as she looked up at the stars. She then took out her little black journal that now had many of its pages filled with her hopes and aspirations, and just as she was about to write a daily entry into it, something clicked in the back of the book. With curiosity Kaylee flipped to the back of the book and gasped at what she noticed. A little tab was pressed, barely visible to the naked eye, and upon opening it very slowly and with care, Kaylee’s eyes grew wide as she noticed it was a little pocket holding some money. She took it out slowly, shock suddenly filling her mind, and after counting the money she hugged it tight, for it was twenty-thousand dollars her parents had saved for her. She ran downstairs to show her grandmother and Elias, beaming happily, that now they had some inheritance to keep them afloat for many years. Kaylee then read a neatly written note her mother had made for her and her grandmother.

“My dearest daughter and my lovely mother, we have saved this money for you, so that wherever you both go you’ll have some money to get you by. We have been saving this up since you were born, my dearest Kaylee, and we hope you use it well. We both love you and your grandmother very much, no matter what happens. Stay safe, for you two are the most precious people in my life. And your father’s too, he wants me to add. Much love, ma and papa.”

Kaylee wiped a tear from her eyes as her grandmother gasped at the money, thanking god that even though it was Kaylee’s parents, that there’s still good people in this world even though many things were dark. With this inheritance that Kaylee’s mother had included for her in this little black journal, she used it to open up a much-needed stable in the village, so more travelers could come through and have a safe place to keep their horses. Her grandmother used part of the inheritance to buy more unique herbs with Elias’ help searching for them, and after a few years both the girls and Elias lived happily ever after.