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Layla was walking with quick steps.
She was almost jumping with excitement, and as soon as she approached a small wooden cabin surrounded by trees, she screamed with joy.
She pointed her finger toward the house: "There! It's my grandmother's house!"
The man walking beside her smiled a calm smile.
And he said in a voice that sounded warm, unlike his usual manner: "That's good… you've finally arrived."
The house was simple, warm.
From it emanated the scent of medicinal herbs and old wood.
Layla moved toward the door, opened it eagerly, then entered while calling out: "Grandmother!"
Inside..
The grandmother was reclining on her bed, covered with a woolen blanket.
And as soon as she heard her granddaughter's voice, her features lit up and she said in a quavering voice full of tenderness: "Layla, my dear… you've finally come."
Layla hurried toward her and said happily: "Yes, Grandmother, and I brought a guest with me."
The grandmother raised her eyebrows in surprise and asked: "A guest? Who?"
And before she could finish her question.....
The man entered the room behind Layla.
At that moment.
The grandmother's features froze, her eyes widened in clear shock, as if she had seen a ghost.
But before anyone could grasp what was happening.
The man moved quickly, grabbed Layla from behind, and lifted her off the ground.
And he shouted in an angry voice:
"You witch! I will take revenge on you through this granddaughter of yours!"
Layla gasped in shock, her body freezing between his arms.
Meanwhile, the grandmother remained stunned for a few seconds before screaming anxiously:
"Layla! Didn't I tell you not to trust strangers?!"
Layla said in a trembling voice, tears glistening in her eyes:
"Sir… why are you doing this to me?!"
Silence prevailed for a few seconds in the hall, and the audience watched with bated breath.
The man said bitterly as he tightened his grip on Layla's arm:
"Yes… your witch grandmother is the one who made me suffer for a whole month. And now… I will make you suffer by losing your only granddaughter!"
In the seats, Lavinia leaned forward in amazement and whispered:
"Wow… I never expected the grandmother to be the witch."
Rocky smiled and said calmly:
"I think I like this new story."
Suddenly, the cabin door burst open, and the woodsman appeared, raising his axe high as he shouted:
"Leave the girl alone, you scoundrel! Or I'll kill you!"
Layla burst into tears, screaming:
"Why?! Why are you doing this?! And you, Grandmother… why are you a witch?!"
The grandmother sighed deeply in sorrow.
She looked at the man with a gaze mixed with regret and firmness, and said:
"This man… was once a nobleman. He was always spreading chaos in the forest, killing innocent animals, and destroying everything around him. I turned him into an animal so he would feel the amount of injustice he was causing."
The man screamed in anger and pain:
"Yes! And because of you… today I will turn into a complete wolf!"
The woodsman looked at the grandmother in shock and stepped back, while confusion spread throughout the place.
And suddenly, in a trembling yet brave voice, Layla said:
"Sir… I know there is a good man inside you. You will not hurt me… so please, let us find a solution."
But before he could finish.
He screamed in pain and clutched his stomach.
He released Layla and fell to the ground, writhing.
The woodsman rushed forward, raised his axe high, and prepared to strike.
Layla screamed with all her strength: "Stop, uncle! Please!"
The woodsman froze in place and said angrily: "Are you foolish?! He was about to kill you moments ago!"
Layla said as she stood in front of the man to protect him: "But he's injured! And Grandmother… can't we do something for him?!"
The grandmother closed her eyes in regret and said: "I'm sorry, my dear… there's no time left. He will fully turn into a wolf."
Layla ran to him, grabbed his hand tightly, and said while holding back her tears: "Didn't you say the curse is broken by love? Love doesn't only mean people loving each other… it also includes nature and animals. Ever since I was little, I've loved this forest. I revere it. And you… you must love this place too."
The man's body began to shake.
His features started to change, and he began transforming into a wolf, groaning.
While the audience began to sympathize some were crying, others whispering with hope.
The wolf said in a broken voice: "I'm sorry… maybe this is my punishment. I was an arrogant person, I didn't care about the lives of others. I'm truly sorry… and sorry for wanting to hurt you."
Layla screamed through her tears: "No! Please!"
And suddenly…
Something unexpected happened.
The wolf's body began to glow again, a warm light filling the stage.
Before the eyes of Layla and the audience.
The wolf transformed back into a man once more, his wounds completely gone.
The grandmother said in astonishment mixed with a smile: "It seems you realized your mistake… and found true love for nature."
The man looked at his hands in disbelief and said: "Impossible… will I remain human? I won't turn into a wolf?"
The grandmother answered calmly: "Yes… you have lifted the curse."
The man took a deep breath, then bowed gratefully and said sincerely: "Thank you, Layla… and thank you, madam. I promise you both that I will become a different person."
He decided to return to his home and promised the grandmother to protect the forest instead of harming it.
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The curtain slowly fell...
As the entire cast stood and bowed to the audience.
Thanking them for their attendance.
The theater erupted in warm applause.
And the cheers rose.
Thus the story ended not with an evil wolf… but with a heart that finally learned how to love.
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