When I drew this picture of Little Red Riding Hood digesting the wolf, I really enjoyed turning the traditional story upside down! It felt rebellious and cathartic. It is important to me that this is an ordinary girl, not a ‘warrior-woman’ type that seems increasingly popular.
Depending on what day of the week it is, the wolf symbolizes many different things for me. Some days it would feel sacrilegious to devour such a potent archetype. Some days I want to light a candle and pay homage to the wolf. It depends on which version of the tale you read and how you read it. The dark archetypes, which sometimes seem to only destroy, also serve us.
On this occasion, eating the wolf felt like an action of consciously digesting fear – beginning the process of breaking it down with the acids in my belly and thereby becoming bigger than it. I always consider fear an ally – when it knows its place. Like fire, fear is a good servant, but a poor boss.
Planning my journey to Ireland has raised all kinds of fear for me. It is a bold adventure that requires courage. It is good to have got to a place where I am digesting this and feeling bigger than my fear. Of course, tomorrow is a new day and I don’t expect that every day I will feel on top of it. But today – I feel bold and brave and the wolf makes a good lunch!
Words and image c. Niki na Meadhra
Niki na Meadhra 