01.07.2016
((What kind of story is this that predicts the end of the world in a time and way that never happened, but the story is known and renowned the world over and well into the future? I also want to go back here and give names to the people. And name the places too. This story is somewhat a myth, but perhaps more a fable or fairy tale.))
At any rate, he felt it would be foolish to stay. That would invite the wolf back again tonight, and he would be easy prey for the beast. The town’s folk told the shepherd he was welcome to stay with them, and brought up how their guarding had worked the night before.
He was skeptical of their defenses and ability though he dared not mention this to such helpful and friendly people. He politely declined and mentioned how he had family in a nearby town, which happened to lie a bit closer to the mountains. The sheep would do well in the rolling foothills, particularly this time of year when the rivers were still high from the snow melt. And with the help of his dogs, he lead the sheep along the small path which took him away from the town.
Back to their townsquare the town’s folk went, to discuss the success of the night’s guard, and to plan the coming night’s actions. The shepherd’s story made the wolf sound larger. Bigger than anything the people in town had yet seen. Was the meat and blood and sport of the kill making him both larger and more bold?
(We don’t want shotguns here. That father should grab a musket rifle from above his door. And a black powder pistol from the door frame too. The lack of rapid fire is what does him in. Should the wolf ever be shot? Part of me says no. This will add to the mythical quality of the animal, and show the reader that it is a force of nature that will trounce mankind. The evading the wolf does attests to its skill. And shows how this creature becomes the one that can eat the sun. Terrifying and flawless in execution.))
They would increase the number of guards to a total of ten for the night. Two shifts of five. And they staked more lanterns in the ground. The heat of the day wore on, and an afternoon thunderstorm brought torrential rain. The downpour let up just as dusk settled over the town. Tiny streams of water ran down the cobblestone street, through the meadow where the first boys had been taken, and through the forest to the river.
The townsfolk lit the lanterns early, and the families settled in for the night. The rambunctious children, whose energy had been pent up by the storm, made lots of noise in the night, as they played until parents sent them off to bed, unwilling. The first guard slung muskets over their shoulders and began their patrols. With the lanterns, good portions of the forest’s border was visible even from several hundred feet away. Water dripped from the tree’s leaves to puddles on the ground.