| Many people believed that the forest was a foreboding and dangerous place,
but Red Riding Hood knew that this was an irrational fear based on cultural
paradigms instilled by a patriarchal society that regarded the natural world
as an exploitable resource, and hence believed that natural predators were in
fact intolerable competitors.
Other people avoided the woods for fear of thieves and deviants, but Red
Riding Hood felt that in a truly classless society all marginalized peoples
would be able to "come out" of the woods and be accepted as valid
lifestyle role models.
On her way to Grandma's house, Red Riding Hood passed a woodchopper, and
wandered off the path, in order to examine some flowers.
 She was startled to find
herself standing before a Wolf, who asked her what was in her basket.
Red Riding Hood's teacher had warned her never to talk to strangers, but
she was confident in taking control of her own budding sexuality, and chose to
dialogue with the Wolf.
She replied, "I am taking my Grandmother some healthful snacks in a
gesture of solidarity."
The Wolf said, "You know, my dear, it isn't safe for a little girl to
walk through these woods alone."
Red Riding Hood said, "I find your sexist remark offensive in the
extreme, but I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast
from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop and alternative
and yet entirely valid worldview. Now, if you'll excuse me, I would prefer to
be on my way."
Red Riding Hood returned to the main path, and proceeded towards her
Grandmother's house.
But because his status outside of society had freed him from slavish
adherence to linear, Western-style thought, the Wolf knew of a quicker route
to Grandma's house.
He burst into the house and ate Grandma, a course of action affirmative of
his nature as predator.
Then, unhampered by rigid, traditionalist gender role notions, he put on
Grandma's nightclothes, crawled under the bedclothes, and awaited
developments.
Red Riding Hood entered the cottage and said, "Grandma, I have brought
you some cruelty free snacks to salute you in your role as wise and nurturing
matriarch."
The Wolf said softly "Come closer, child, so that I might see
you."
Red Riding Hood said, "Goddess! Grandma, what big eyes you have!"
"You forget that I am optically challenged." |
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