“Hello, everyone.  I’m Glendale Wolf, and I’m a Carnivore.  It’s been a month since I ate my last human.  It all started when I was just a little cub and got into some bad trouble with my buddies.  I was known as THE BIG BAD WOLF.”

Glendale Wolfe, or Wolfie as he was known, went on for about 20 minutes, then finally stopped.  This was his 4^th meeting at Carnivores Anonymous, and he was getting his first coin.  Though he felt good about it, and his sponsor, Drake Dragon, was proud of him, it had been a struggle.  He really wanted to beat this addiction, but found he missed the chase, the screams of the humans, and that first bite of flesh when that delectable, rich red blood came spurting out-oh! What a wonderful tang!  But, for the sake of his family, and his friendship with Grandma and Red Riding Hood, he was determined to do it.

There was plenty to eat in the woods, but at a young age, Wolfie had got in with a bad wolf pack that demanded loyalty and surrender to their way of life.  Those who were in command were mean and ruthless when it came to disobedience; you were lucky if you got away with your life!  He had begun to realize what it must be like for those who were being eaten and had promised his family that he would truly try to break the habit.  Then he met that nice Little Red Riding Hood who was happily skipping to her grandmother’s that fateful morning….  There she was talking to the birds, and hopping like a bunny, all the while carrying that scrumptious basket of goodies-YUM! 

He rushed on over to Grandmother’s house and shoved her in the closet while he changed into her nightgown, then climbed into her bed.  Maybe Riding Hood wouldn’t notice it wasn’t her Gram!  Maybe he would eat the basket of goodies, then Grandmother, and save the child for last!  And yet, that nagging was inside of him saying this was wrong.  Oh well, this would be his last time.

“Hi Gramma, it’s me!  I have apples and cookies, and a pie I just baked!  Grams, where are you?”

“In here, dear,” her “grams” called to her.

“Aren’t you feeling well today?  Why are you still in bed?”  Riding Hood entered her grandmother’s bedroom, stopping abruptly in the doorway.  That didn’t look like Grams! 

“Come in, dear, and show me what you brought,” Wolfie used his best fake-grandma voice.  He thought he looked pretty good in Grandmother’s glasses, cap, and nightgown.  That kid will never know! He thought cleverly.

“Show me what you have, my child,” Wolfie’s mouth watered as he sniffed the air.

Riding Hood stepped closer and dropped the basket of goodies in Wolfie’s lap.  “Grandmother” removed the cover and ooohhhed at the feast.  He took a bite of pie right from the dish.

“Grandmother!  Don’t you want a plate?”  She came closer, squinting at him.  “You’re not my grandmother; you’re that Big Bad Wolf!  You get outta here or I’ll scream!”

“You go right ahead and scream, Kiddo!  I’m gonna eat these goodies, then maybe I’ll eat you!”  He grabbed another piece of pie and shoved it into his mouth.  “Hey, this is really good.  Can I have the recipe?”  Was he really becoming used to human food?

Poor Little Red Riding Hood put her head in her hands and started to weep.

“Oh, come on, now, stop that!  I promise I won’t eat you,” Wolfie sighed, and got out of bed. He reached down to pat her on the head, and,

“OWW!”  Wolfie shouted as Riding Hood’s foot met his kneecap.  She pressed that special alarm on her cellphone (what else?) that was directly connected with the local police station.  It was great to have a grandfather who was the constable.

And with that, another chapter closed in Wolfie’s life.  Riding Hood let Grandmother out of the closet while Wolfie apologized for being so naughty and scary.  He broke down as he told his sad tale to Grams and Riding Hood, and Grams felt a good cup of tea was in order for all.  They finished up the wonderful food in the basket, and exchanged a couple of recipes for pies and cakes.  By then, the constable showed up to haul him off to jail for a couple of nights.  He was then sentenced to Public Service, helping to do chores at Grandmother’s cabin and Crossing Guard Duty at Riding Hood’s school.  As time flew by, Wolfie, Grandmother, and Riding Hood became the best of friends, and Wolfie was determined to do well from now on.  Taking care of humans, especially watching the children, had warmed his heart to this species of beings, plus he felt grateful for the counselling he received from Social Services.  Grandmother always had a basket full of goodies for Wolfie to take home to his family.  They were becoming quite the vegetarians. 

And Glendale Wolf shed his nickname of THE BIG BAD WOLF, becoming a brand new counsellor for Carnivores Anonymous!

* * * end * * *