fictional being, but a real-life companion

My grandma used to tell the best stories. They were always full of angels, and fairies, and The Little Red Riding Hood definitely lived in the forest behind her house.

There was always a giant dog lurking there as well (when she didn’t want us wandering outside or running out on the road because we were too little). Sometimes these dogs were big and scary, depending on what she was trying to teach us. Other times they were guides and guardians on a tough path.

She was never short on humor, either. Her wind-chime laughter still rings in my ears.

I’d love to hear about that dog that guided a girl from her village to the town where she went to sell vegetables to buy new school shoes. It was a whole-night walk to the town, and by dusk, when she reached it, the dog was gone.

I’d love to feel that warm blanket of her voice one more time. She had the perfect voice for storytelling.

I could really use that dog, too. I really need some guidance.

If I could magically pull a fictional animal out of a story, it would be that dog from my grandma’s stories, or Gwin from Inkheart. I loved that little marten. I even named my cat after him (until my cat disappeared).

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