What you do not see...

There is a statue that stands tall in the garden of a wealthy Lady of the court. At first glance, it makes your heart quicken and your palms sweat with fear. A wolf standing over a beautiful woman, one paw resting on her breast. The wolf's teeth are bared in a snarl. He looks ready for the kill. The woman's brow looks knitted in fear even in her sleep. One hand is raised up to keep the wolf at bay. 1

What a horrid thing to put in such a lovely garden, you think. You quickly walk by, thinking the Lady Cecilie must be a deeply disturbed woman and you'd rather have nothing to do with her. You'll conduct your business else where. Just as you are leaving the Lady calls your name. She is escorted by a man you know to be her husband, but for the life of you, you can not remember his name. They stop in front of you, but her husband does not leave her side. 2

You clear your throat but before you can speak she asks, "Are you enjoying the Garden?" You glance around nervously and then lower your eyes a tad nervous at the words that are pressing against your lips. "Well, Lady, I think I shall be leaving. Such a statue speaks of great evil." Just as the words leave your mouth, your face pales and you bite the inside of your cheek.3

Her lips purse in distaste; she could probably have you hanged for such words against her. You dare to look at her husbands face; he doesn't even bat an eye. Rather, he seems quite amused. Lady Cecilie steps away from her husband and walks to the statue. She runs her fingers almost...what you would perceive as lovingly at the base. She turns sharply to face you. "Please come closer." At a loss as to what to do, you obey. Your foot steps feel heavy as if your trousers are full of rocks.4

She turns back towards that wicked statue once again. "First, before you decide that I am a wicked woman, look closer." You muster up the courage to offer a sneer before turning to look at the monstrosity. Your eyes show you nothing new. She sighs, seeing the disgust on your face. Her eyes turn towards the statue and she speaks in nearly a dreamy voice.5

"When my Lord and I were married, he had this statue built for me. What your eyes do not see, is that the woman's face is not one of fear, but concern. Her hand is raised not to keep the wolf away, but to offer a lovers caress." You feel almost as if she had read your mind. She knew exactly what you were thinking. Before you are able to think, her husband moves up beside of her. He raises one head to rest, almost possessively, on his darling's shoulder. He continues, matching the tone of his wife's voice.6

"What your eyes do not see is that the wolf is not holding her in place to devour her for his next meal. Rather, he is there keeping one paw on her in protection. He snarls, in warning to any intruder that may come in the night."7

Suddenly, you can see it. The fierce glow, even in the stone, to the wolf's eye, Warning those that would dare cause any ill will towards the fragile creature beneath him. You stammer out a quick apology, and then offer a weak smile. The two lovers share a knowing glance, and then Lady Cecilie is quick to offer kind words. "Well, let us forget this all shall we? Down to business now?" You nod your head in appreciation. The rest of the after noon goes as expected, your thoughts returning many a time to that statue that now seems so beautiful.