But Isnt a Witch Bad

She cannot be a witch, the children cry. She is our great-grandmother, we call her Vi. She comes floating down the stair and gives them the eye. What are you speaking of? And she asks them why. Someone called you a witch, the children said. Oh, yes, she agreed. “Until I am dead.” You know that a witch can paint her lips a pretty red. I am a beautiful one, their Grandma Vi said. But isn’t a witch bad? Asked her grandson, Jack. She laughed until they thought she’d had a heart attack. A witch’s motto is “to no one do harm, to be yourself, Jack.” It’s not like we put children in stocks or on a pulling rack. But Grimm’s fairy tales said witches are bad. Because those books were written by a jealous cad. Who did not understand that women can have power too. Do not let those silly tales fool either of you.