Once upon a time a little deaf-mute boy was lying down in bed. The little boy’s name was George. George was a kind child who had a big problem at night. He was frightened by the dark!

His strange mind would often make him think that there could be monsters nearby. And so, he couldn’t sleep. This very particular night, George had enough of being scared. He decided to look under his bed to check if a monster was hiding there. But nothing, George sighed loudly, he still felt uncomfortable.

He got up and walked to his window. Looking down the street, poorly lit by few streetlamps, he saw shapes and movements. 

Unable to move because of fear, George stayed completely immobile. The two shadows puppets hands started communicating in sign language.

“Are you afraid my child?” asked the strange apparition. “You do not have to be scared, I am just your friendly friend, the Tree Shadow Monster.”

George could not believe his eyes. But, for some reason, George got interested in the unknown creature.

“Why are you here?” asked the little boy.

“Because” answered the Shadow Tree Monster, “you seemed to be unable to sleep. I came over to understand what was happening. A child of your age should be in bed by now. Isn’t it right?”

“Yes…” signed George who was pretty tired. “But I can’t sleep! There are monsters outside and they are going to catch me!”

“Monsters ???” signed the creature. “My child, I am the only real monster around here, and as you can see, I am not here to catch you.”

“I saw them!” answered George, restless. “I swear! And I will show you!”

While finishing his sentence, George walked to the window again and showed a black shape outside, not without feeling a shiver across his spine.

It seemed to be a big black wolf lying down on his neighbor’s lawn.

“This? This is Spot, your neighbor’s dog… He seems to be black because there is not enough light for us to see his colors.”

George wasn’t moving anymore; he felt a little embarrassed and confused. It really was Spot, now that he knew the truth, it was clear for him that what he saw wasn’t a wolf at all. Just Spot, his kind neighbor’s dog.

“See?” said the Shadow Tree Monster.

“Yes, I do.” admitted George. “But this is not the only thing I saw! Look over here!”

George showed the corner of the street with a streetlamp. There was an old lady dressed in rags. The poor woman was holding a cup from where a strange smoke was coming out.

“This!” shouted George “This, is obviously a witch !!!”

The Shadow Tree Monster did not react immediately as he was too angry.

“First of all.” replied the Shadow Tree Monster “When we are polite, we say he or she to designate someone and not “this”. Secondly, she is obviously not a witch my child. This lady is a homeless person.”

“A homeless person?” questioned George.

“Yes… Have you never heard of homeless people?” asked the surprised monster.

“No, I have not.” signed back George.