Cultural Background Storyteller's Cabin			-3- Barbara Ann walked timidly into the house. She could see nothing in the musty darkness except a fire roaring in a massive stone fireplace. The Old Woman offered her a seat by the fire and listened to Barbara Ann nervously tell the story of the Ewah and her young husband. When Barbara Ann was finished, the Old Woman nodded and said, "Yes, yes - I think I can help you." The Old Woman left the room for a moment, then came back with what looked like a mask and gave it to Barbara Ann. As Barbara Ann held it up in the firelight, she shuddered - it was the ugliest thing she had ever seen. It looked like a big, furry, demonic cat, with enormous eyes that would pierce a person's soul. "This mask has special powers," the Old Woman said. "The Indians used to call it the 'Wampas Mask.' In order for you to get rid of the Ewah, you must scare him first before he can get a good look at you. If he sees you first, his look will drive you stone cold crazy. His greatest weapon is surprise. But if you sneak up on him and scare him first with this mask, he'll never come back." The Old Woman suddenly grabbed Barbara Ann's hand and said, "I must warn you, however, that if you put this mask on, you may wish you hadn't" Barbara Ann barely heard this last part, for she was about ready to get out of that creepy house. She took the mask, tersely thanked the old woman, and walked quickly out the front door. When she got outside, she thought to herself, "Well, what else am I going to do but try it?" She put the mask on, and to her surprise, it fit real snug and nice on her face. Then she began to stumble toward the deep woods.
Return to top
			Home | Feature Stories | Archives | Bookshop | Credits | FAQs | Site Map | Write to Us © 1997-2006