“Do you hear that sound, Meeshka?” whispered Tatiana.
The girl’s dog dropped to the ground and began to whimper. “Come, Meeshka. We’re exposed here,” said the girl as she made for a fallen oak.
As the sound grew louder, the earth began to shake.
“Meeshka, come here now,” cried Tatiana from behind the tree’s trunk.
The girl turned toward the approaching sound. In an instant she caught sight of a plume of dust racing toward her.
“Meeska, unless you want to be someone’s dinner, you better come here now,” cried the girl.
The little dog, sensing the danger, crept across the road and slipped under the tree’s trunk.
Tatiana shivered as the sound grew louder. THUMP SWISH, THUMP SWISH.
Then everything stopped.
“Fi, Fi, I smell Russian blood but see no sign of my dinner,” crackled an ancient voice.
Meeska burrowed his nose deep into Tatiana’s chest. Both dog and girl were motionless.
“If my prey has moved on, so should I,” the voice said. The THUMP SWISH, THUMP SWISH returned.
As the sound and vibration faded into the distance, the girl stood. “It was Baba Yaga, and we almost ended up as her dinner,” said Tatiana.
Wasting no time, the girl dashed off toward her grandfather’s home. Followed by her little dog.
“Here, child, have some hot tea. You’re frozen to the bone,” said her grandfather.
“I did not see her, PaPa. I heard only the sound of the pestle’s thump and the swoosh of her trailing broom,” said Tatiana.
“And it is a good thing you didn’t. Those who lay eyes upon Baba Yaga during her hunt are never seen again,” replied her grandfather.
“I will remember that,” said the child.
“Now eat your blini and then it’s off to dreamland with you,” said the man.
“I hope it is sweet dreams I have tonight and not nightmares,” remarked Tatiana.
Her grandfather kissed her on the head, then whispered, “Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite. Yaga will not harm you in this home.” Then he turned to the family’s icons and gave a deep bow.
Folksburywoods 
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