5 The monster's tale

Chapter 5 The monster's tale The first thing I can remember was a bright light. I think it must have been the sun. I followed it until it became too hot, and then I looked around for somewhere to rest. Eventually I found myself in a forest. I didn't know how to live, and I was miserable. But slowly I learned to eat berries when I was hungry, to drink from a stream when I was thirsty, and to cover myself when it was cold.

I longed for company. One day I met a shepherd, but he ran away. I followed him to his village. It looked like heaven, full of neat cottages and happy people- but the villagers shouted and threw stones to drive me away. I hid in a ruined hut. From the hut, I could see a remote cottage. An old man and his children lived there. The old man was blind, and his children looked after him.

They were very poor and rarely had enough to eat, but they were always kind to each other. Sometimes they sang to each other, and I thought it was the sweetest sound there could be. The music filled me with emotions I didn't understand. Sometimes they read aloud from books. At first I didn't know the words, but slowly I leared.

I longed to be part of their family, but I didn't dare show myself. Instead, I left them gifts of firewood and berries. I admired their faces- they seemed beautiful to me. I was terrified when I saw my own ugliness reflected in a pool of water. No wonder everyone drove me away! The more I watched the family, the more lonely I felt. I needed company, and I dreamed of meeting them- of winning their friendship with gentle words.

So I decided to approach the old man. Being blind, at least he wouldn't hate the sight of me. I waited until he was alone, then knocked at the door. I told him I was a stranger, and weary, and he invited me to share his fire. He was the first person ever to speak to me with kindness.

But then the children returned and there was no time to explain. They were horrified to see me. The girl fainted, and the boy attacked me. I could have torn him limb from limb, but instead I fled into the woods, howling in misery. Where could I go? Who would take me in? And then I remembered my creator. My father. You! Surely you would accept me? So I set off to find you. In a pocket of the coat I was wearing, there were some letters. From these, I knew you came from Geneva, so I made my way there.