Gran Alice! cried Matthew. Who gave you permission to keep a wolf in the village?
Alice Stevenson broke down in tears as she saw her ruined fence. She had repaired it countless times with loose planks and mended rotten posts, hoping her pension would stretch just far enough for her to afford a proper fix. But alas, it was not meant to bethe fence had collapsed at last.
For ten years, Alice managed her little cottage alone, ever since her beloved husband Peter Andrewson had passed beyond the veil. He had hands of gold; while he lived, Alice worried for nothing. Peter was a craftsman through and througha carpenter, a joiner, master of every trade.
Never was there need to hire another; he did it all himself. In the village, folks respected him for his kindness and tireless work. Together, they shared forty happy years, falling a single day short of their anniversary. Their neat home, bountiful garden, and well-tended livestock owed themselves to the labour of both.
They had just one sonEdward, their pride and joy. From childhood, Edward was diligent, never needing reminders to help around the home. If his mother returned weary from work, hed already chopped the firewood, fetched the water, stoked the stove and tended the cows.
Peter, when home from work, would wash up and step out to the porch for a pipe, while Alice cooked supper. In the evenings, the family dined together, sharing news of their day. Life was good for them.
Time, as always, slipped quietly by, leaving only memories. Edward grew up and left home for the big city, earning his education and marrying a city girl named Susan. They settled in London. At first, Edward spent holidays visiting home, but soon his wife persuaded him to vacation abroad each year. Peter Andrewson took it badly, never understanding his sons choices.
How can our Edward be so worn out? Its Susan filling his head with nonsense! Why does he need all these travels?
Father grew gruff; mother grew sad. All that was left was to live and wait for some word from their child. But then, Peter fell ill. He refused food and grew weaker by the day. Doctors prescribed medicine, but soon gave up and sent him home to see out his days. That spring, as the woods filled with birdsong, Peter breathed his last.
Edward returned for the funeral, weeping bitterly at the bedside, scolding himself for not visiting sooner. He remained a week at home before returning to London. In the years since, he wrote to Alice only thrice. She was left alone. She sold her cow and sheep to neighbours.
Why keep livestock now? The old cow spent days at Alices gate, listening to her mistress sorrowful sobs. Alice locked herself away in the back room to weep, muffling her ears.
Without a man’s touch, the cottage fell into disrepairthe roof leaked, the porch boards cracked and rotted, the cellar flooded Alice did what she could, saving from her pension to pay for tradesmen. Sometimes she managed herself, having grown up in the village and knowing the ways.
Life was tough; at times she barely scraped by. Then trouble struck againher eyesight began to fail, though shed never had trouble before. On a trip to the village shop, she could scarcely make out the prices. Months later, she struggled to see the shop sign.
The nurse came around, insisting Alice visit the hospital.
Alice Stevenson, do you want to go blind? Youll have an operation and your sight will be restored!
But Alice was terrified of surgery and refused. Within a year, she was almost completely blind. Still, she didn’t much mind.
What do I need sight for? I dont bother with the television, only listen. News readers make things clear enough. I know the house by touch, anyway.
But sometimes she worried. The village had changed; more and more dishonest folk appeared. Thieves visited to rob abandoned cottages, snatching whatever they found. Alice feared she had no dog to deter unwanted guests with its bark and fierce look.
She asked Simon, the local huntsman:
Do you know if the gamekeeper has any puppies? Id take the smallest; Id raise it myself
Simon, a thoughtful fellow, replied:
Alice, why do you want a husky pup? Theyre woods dogs! I can fetch you a proper sheepdog from town.
A sheepdog must be expensive
Not dearer than good neighbours, Alice.
Well then, bring one round.
Alice counted her savings and found she just managed enough for a fine dog. But Simon, unreliable as ever, kept putting it off. Alice scolded him for empty promises, but pitied him too. He was a lonely soul, no family, his only companion the bottle.
Simon, about Edwards age, never left the villagehe was ill at ease in the city. Hunting was his passionhe could vanish into the woods for days.
When hunting season ended Simon did odd jobs: digging gardens, making repairs, fixing machines. The coin he earned from elderly women was swiftly spent on drink.
After a bender, Simon would disappear into the woods, sick and ashamed, then return days later laden with mushrooms, berries, trout, and chestnuts. He sold it all for pennies and drank his profits away. The drunkard helped Alice with choreswhen paid, of course. And now, with the broken fence, she had cause to call on him once more.
I suppose the puppy must wait, sighed Alice Stevenson. I need to pay Simon for the fence, and moneys short.
Simon didnt come empty-handed this time. In his satchel, alongside tools, something squirmed. Smiling, he beckoned Alice.
Look what Ive brought you. He opened his bag.
Alice felt her way over and patted a small, fluffy head.
Simon, is it really a puppy? she gasped.
Best of the best, Alice. A purebred sheepdog, through and through.
The puppy yipped, trying to crawl from the bag. Alice grew flustered.
But Ive not money enough! Only just for the fence!
I shant take it back, Alice! scoffed Simon. Do you know how many pounds I paid for this dog?
What choice had she? Alice rushed to the shop, where the lady allowed her five bottles of spirits on credit, jotting her name in the ledger.
Come evening, Simon finished mending the fence. Alice fed him a hearty supper and poured him a dram. Tipsy and cheerful, he sat at the table, pointing to the puppy curled by the stove.
Feed him twice a day. Buy a solid chainhell grow strong. I know dogs!
Thus, Alice gained a new companionBuster. She grew fond of the puppy, and he devoted himself in turn. Whenever she went into the yard to feed him, hed leap up, eager to lick her face. Only one thing troubled herthe dog, enormous as a calf after some months, never learned to bark. Alice was dismayed.
Oh, Simon! You rascal! Youve sold me a dog that cant bark!
But what could she do? She couldnt throw out such a loyal soul. Bark or no bark. Not even the neighbours dogs dared challenge Buster, who quickly grew to waist height.
One day, Matthew, a local hunter, came to the village for suppliesfood, salt, matches. Winter hunting season was near, when men spent months in the woods. Passing Alice Stevensons gate, Matthew froze, staring at Buster.
Gran Alice! shouted Matthew. Who gave you permission to keep a wolf in the village?
Alice clutched her chest in fright.
Oh my! Im so daft! That rogue Simon tricked me! Told me it was a purebred sheepdog
Matthew spoke seriously:
Madam, you must set him loose in the woods, else trouble will come.
Her eyes filled with tears. Parting from Buster was a wrenchsuch a gentle, faithful beast, even if he was a wolf. Lately, hed grown restless, tugging at his chain, desperate for freedom. The villagers viewed him with fear. No help for it.
Matthew drove the wolf deep into the woods. Buster wagged his tail before vanishing amongst the trees. No one saw him again.
Alice mourned her companion and cursed sly Simon. He regretted it all himself, though his intentions were good. Once, wandering the forest, Simon had found bear tracks. Nearby, a pitiful whimper sounded. He was about to leavewhere cubs, the mother is surely closebut the noise was not from a bear.
Pushing aside branches, Simon found a den. Near it lay a dead she-wolf and her mangled cubs, slain by a bear. Only one pup survived, hiding in the den.
Simons heart softened for the orphan. He took it home and thought Alice could care for it. When it grew, he assumed, it would escape to the woods, and meanwhile hed find her a real dog. Matthews discovery changed everything.
For days Simon skulked about Alices house, unable to face her. Outside, a wild winter raged. Alice stoked the fire to keep warm overnight.
One night, there came a knocking. The old woman hurried to the door. On the step stood a stranger.
Good evening, madam. May I rest here? I was heading for the next village but lost my way.
And your name, dear? My sights poor, she asked.
Bernard.
Alice frowned.
Theres no Bernard in this village
Im not local, madam. Only just bought a cottage. Went to look at it, but the car broke down. Had to walk, and then this snowstorm!
You bought old Daniels place then?
He nodded.
Thats right.
Alice welcomed the stranger in and set the kettle to boil. She didnt notice how his eyes wandered greedily over the old dresser, the usual hiding place for villagers money and jewellery.
While Alice fussed at the stove, the guest began rummaging through the dresser. Alice heard the squeak of its door.
What do you think youre doing, Bernard?
The moneys all changed! Im helping you get rid of the old notes.
Alice scowled.
Rubbish! Theres been no reform. Who are you?
The man pulled a knife and held it to her throat.
Be quiet, gran. Hand over your money, gold, food!
Alice trembled. The man was a criminal, hiding from the law. Her fate seemed certain
But just then, the door burst open. In bounded the huge wolf, who leapt at the thief. The thick scarf saved the man from a bite. The thief stabbed the wolf in the shoulder before dashing for the door.
By chance, Simon was passing just then, eager to make his peace. At Alices gate, he saw a man with a knife running, cursing bitterly. Simon rushed to Alice and found Buster bleeding on the floor. He understood everything in a flash, and sped straight to the constable.
The thief was soon caught and sentenced again.
After that, Buster became the villages true hero. Folks brought him food and greeted him fondly. He was never chained again, but always returned to Alice, coming back with Simon after hunting trips.
One day, they found a black Land Rover at Alices gate. Someone was chopping wood in the yardit was her son, Edward. Spotting old friends, he opened his arms wide.
That evening, all sat around the table, and Alice was radiant with happiness. Edward persuaded her to come to the city for the operation to restore her sight.
Well, if I must Alice sighed. My grandson is coming this summerI want to see him. Simon, please look after the cottage and Buster, will you?
Simon nodded. Buster sprawled by the hearth, content with his head on his paws. His place was here, amongst friends.
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