Now I ask you. Do you remember poor Harold? Yes, of course you know him as Big Bad Wolf but his real name was Harold Archibald Lupus. After his ordeal at the hands of the Three Little Pigs he almost went to pieces. He was so shook up that every little noise had him screaming and hiding under his bed. Walking past the fruit section if he should espy an apple he would instantly break out in the shakes and sweat would pour out of his body.

People were starting to talk and make funny circular motions near their temples with their fingers. He still had some friends that suggested that it might benefit him to seek medical help. Finally he managed to pull himself together and went to seek help from the world famous psychiatrist Karl Sigmund Gustav Von Jungefreud.

Contrary to popular belief, not all psychiatrists are unstable themselves. Von Jungefreud seemed to have a stable grip on reality. Possibly the only questionable thing about him was the black mini skirt, green lacy blouse with puffed sleeves and purple knee high boots with six inch heels. Purple matched with green? Definitely questionable.

Von Jungefreud pondered the problem for a while, scratched under his skirt a few times (which made poor Harold wince) and cleared his throat. “Clearly vat we have ere is a case ov Terrifieditus or in utter vords yu iss chicken.” He nodded his head, scratched his beard and then made a sound like a chicken. “Ja, ja yu must go avay so yu forget, ja, ja,” with that he made a motion with his hands to go away.

Poor Harold didn’t know what to do. All his hopes he pinned on the psychiatrist but it seemed that there was no help for him there. Just then, as he was walking along with his head hung low, he saw a newspaper advertisement at his feet.

‘Feeling low and dejected? Don’t know which way to turn? Has life dealt you a bum hand and you just don’t know what to do? Are you worn out and sick of the rat race? If you answered yes then it is time to spend some time in Granny’s Cottage in the Dark Woods. Just follow the path and Granny will see to all your needs.’

There was a lot more to the advert but Harold had seen enough. This was the hope he was looking for. This was something that would get him out of the city and away from all the rotten memories.

All excited he raced home and packed some belongings. All he had was a rather large picnic basket but he decided that would do to pack his few meagre belongings. Two socks, four jocks, one pair of pants and two shirts. He never wore shoes preferring to walk bare pawed. He also packed two sandwiches to keep the hunger at bay while he made his way to Granny’s Cottage.

Harold caught the 474 Bus to the edge of the Dark Woods. There he saw a narrow path leading deep into the woods. This must be the way as there was a sign pointing to the path and fancy red writing saying to Granny’s Cottage.