Glenda the Wendle Chapter 6 part 2

“I thought I knew all the creatures in these woods,” Glenda said. “But I have met a lot of new ones. I have met Grizzlers, Schneewhompers and Bob the Fenwangler. What are you?”

“I am a Grockywoller,” said Gladys.

Without telling her feet to move Glenda found herself back against the tree and shivering with fright.

“What's the matter?” asked Gladys. “Why are you hiding?”

Glenda could hardly speak for shaking. “Grockywollers are the most frightening things in Feggy Wood.”

“Me?” said Gladys in surprise.

Glenda slowly came back to the log. “But you can't be a Grockywoller,” she said. “You are not twice as tall and twice as wide as me. You do not have green hair and blue hands. You do not have big teeth, dripping with blood. And you could not see me when I was hiding.”

Gladys laughed, “That does not sound like any Grockywoller I know.”

“It is very puzzling,” said Glenda. “My grandmother told me all about them and said that if I was naughty, a Grockywoller would come and get me and it did not matter how well I hid, the Grockywoller would always find me. They are a Wendle's worst nightmare.”

Now it was Gladys's turn to run away.

“What's the matter?” called Glenda after her.

Slowly Gladys came back out of the dark trees. “You can't be a Wendle,” she said. “You are not twice as tall and twice as wide as me. You do not have blue hair and green hands. You do not have big teeth, dripping with blood. And you could not see me when I was following you.”

 Glenda laughed, “That does not sound like any Wendle I know.”

Gladys said slowly, “My grandmother told me all about them and said that if I was naughty a Wendle would come and get me and it did not matter how well I hid, the Wendle would always find me. They are a Grockywoller's worst nightmare.”

They both sat for a minute in silence, and then burst out laughing. “I think our grandmothers have been making up stories,” said Glenda.

“I think they have,” agreed Gladys. “And not only ours. Every Grockywoller I know is terrified of Wendles.”

Glenda nodded. “And every Wendle is terrified of Grockywollers.”

They sat for a minute without speaking. Gladys looked up at the sky. “Ooops,” she said. “I had better be getting back. I will be in terrible trouble if my parents find I have left the Schneewhomper's cave unguarded.” She thought for a moment and then added. “Please don't tell anyone about the Schneewhomper’s cave. They would be very unhappy if lots of creatures came to look at it.”

“I won't,” promised Glenda. “Now I had better go home too,” said Glenda. “My boyfriend will be home soon and he will wonder where I am.”

“Perhaps we could meet again,” said Gladys shyly.

“That would be nice,” agreed Glenda. “But how?”

“If you came and sit on this log and see a Tittle-tattle bird, tell it to come and find me and I will come out to meet you,” said Gladys. She thought for a moment. “You know I don’t think I will tell my parents that I have been talking to a Wendle. I am not sure they would understand.”

“I don't think I will tell my boyfriend either,” said Glenda. “I am sure he would not understand. You could always come to my home for tea one day.” she added.

Gladys shook her head. “No Grockywoller ever leaves the black trees, it is not safe. Even sitting here on this log is the furthest I have ever been from the black trees.”

“Because of us Wendles?” asked Glenda.

“Oh no. I think most people do not really believe that Wendles actually exist. No. We are afraid of the wulluf.” Gladys shuddered. “I think you are terribly brave to wander Feggy Wood when there is a wulluf out there.”

Glenda frowned. “I have never heard of a creature called a wulluf,” she said. “And if it was so scary, I am sure I would have done. Wendles are not very brave. What does it look like?”

Gladys shook her head. “I don't know, no Grockywoller has ever seen one, but we know they are out there in Feggy Wood, just waiting for us to come out of the dark trees. They chased us in there a long time ago and we have lived there ever since.”

“Well,” said Glenda. “I shall keep a careful eye open for one just in case.” They waved goodbye and Glenda wended her way home through Feggy Wood keeping a careful eye open for a wulluf. There was not one to be seen.

“Ah, there you are,” said Glen. “I was beginning to wonder if a Grockywoller had got you.”

Glenda just smiled.