the haunted house... part three...

to begin at the beginning, click here

by human being

illustrations by rhoda penmarq

xi fear is a wound: the child was afraid of the dead eyes winking at her the second leaf was gone with the darkness the plate was empty again the cats were making strange grumbling sounds xii .distance is a wound: the child was missing the friendly eyes laughing with her the third leaf was gone with the wind the plate was empty again the cats were hiding behind the portraits xiii understanding is a wound: the little girl came to know that all played games and all games had at least one loser the fourth leaf was gone with the shadows the plate was empty again the cats were sniffing the suitcases in the middle of the hallway xiv .truth is a wound: the little girl told the truth, but nobody believed her she learned that all were telling lies in one way or another the fifth leaf was gone with the light the plate was empty again the cats were kneading on her lap xv friendship is a wound: those who were closer to the little girl could hug her tighter and beat her harder the sixth leaf was gone with the rain the plate was empty again the cats were purring contently xvi each word is a wound: the small girl soon discovered that each word is a world when the speaker is on an expedition to the north pole the hearer might be camping in the south pole the seventh leaf was gone with the moonlight the plate was empty again the cats were fast asleep

.