Cultural
Background
Storyteller's Cabin
Like he had done many times before, Tom strolled past the cemetery that night without a care. Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, he heard a rustling sound. He stopped and went over to the gate, more curious than scared. After a brief moment of silence, he heard it again - it sounded like a large animal rummaging around the graves. Maybe a dear eating some of the scrub grass, Tom thought.
Then a gruff, menacing voice cut through the darkness from beyond, causing Tom to jump. "That's a good 'un over thar," it said. "There's another good 'un over thar. I think we're gon' have to go round us up some more. This ain't near enough."
What came next made Tom's blood run cold. From around the area where his dear Grandpa was buried, he heard the familiar CRACK and munch, CRACK and munch of hazel nuts being eaten.
"Yessir, we're gon' have to git us some more."
Everyone in town knew that, when folks died, the Devil and the Angel of the Lord came down to the cemetery to sort out the souls. Tom had always laughed at those stories, but now he found himself believing them. He just knew that the Devil himself had gotten a hold of the knife and the hazel nuts in Grandpa's pocket and was having himself a snack. What's worse, he'd probably gotten a hold of Grandpa's soul!
Tom ran home faster than he'd ever run before. Out of breath, he barged into Aunt Kate's bedroom and yelled, "Aunt Kate! Aunt Kate! I heard the Devil 'n' the Angel of the Lord up in the cemetery sortin' out souls! I think th' Devil's got Grandpa!"
Now Aunt Kate, as has been said, was a large woman. She was so large that she had to lift herself up out of bed with a rope that was tied to an iron ring up on the ceiling. "Well, we're gon' have to go up thar, but I cain't walk," she said, pulling herself up until she looked Tom square in the eye. "Yer gon' have t' carry me."
Tom swallowed hard at the thought of carrying her back up the road. "But it's too cold out there," he said, thinking of any excuse he could. "You'll freeze."
"Well, then wrap this sheet around me," she replied, ripping a sheet off the bed. After she got dressed, Tom sighed to himself, wrapped the sheet around her and, with a grunt, lifted her up on his shoulders. He lit his lantern and stumbled out the door.
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