Episode 13

“What was all that about?” Jack waited for something else to fall from the cloud. “What was that noise?”

Red hurriedly finished her sandwich. “I think it was the ogre moving around and looking for his goose. The turkey, guinea and duck got in his way and he threw them out. Let’s hurry on up before he decides to climb down the beanstalk. It would be terrible for him to find us sitting here.” She slung her knap sack on her shoulders and began climbing into the white clouds. She was out of sight before Jack finished his sandwich and began climbing.

Jack climbed a few hundred feet and stopped one branch under Red Ridinghood. She had her head stuck through what seemed like a hole in a solid cloud. “What do you see? Do you see my mom?”

Red pulled her head back and motioned for Jack to be quiet. She poked her head through for a brief look and pulled back. “I see a castle to our left. It must be the ogre’s home. There is a barn to our immediate right. I think we should climb out and run like the devil to the barn. The ogre may be close by.” Without waiting for a reply, she climbed up, stepped out onto the courtyard and disappeared.

Jack climbed through the hole, looked at the castle for a second, then stepped out and ran for an open door in the barn. He slid to a stop on the straw covered floor. He looked quickly for Red Ridinghood. She was on the second rung of a ladder going to the barn loft. She had her finger to her lips. Jack followed her up the ladder into the loft. He sat down on a pile of hay, panting from excitement and exertion.

Red had her eye to a crack in the outside wall. “I don’t see anyone. But the ogre is nearby from those rumbling we heard. He may be in that other building. It looks like a blacksmith’s shop.”

Jack nodded his head while getting his breathing under control. He waited a few more seconds before saying anything. “Where do you think my mom is?”

Red pulled away from the crack. “Knowing your mom, she’s probably at Snow White’s house drinking beer with the seven ugly trolls. Your mom’s note was probably just to make you feel sorry for her. Where ever she is, she is enjoying herself.” The barn shook slightly and a door slammed. Red pressed her eye against the crack. “Be quiet, don’t say a word. It’s the ogre. I think he’s heading for the beanstalk.”