Twisted Fairy Tale Part 2: Brave New World

Alice did not know what to expect as she passed through The Looking Glass.  Fear gripped her as she moved slowly through the transparent portal. Her body felt as if it were being pulled through the neck of a very small bottle and before she had time to process what was happening, Alice popped out onto the other side of The Looking Glass.

What she spied with her little eyes was nothing like she had imagined. The air on this side seemed lighter.  The sun shined twice as bright.  Alice bent down to feel the grass.  It was soft and downy and very fragrant.

As Alice started to get up she noticed a pair of feet in front of her.  Panic washed over like cold water from a mountain waterfall and her only thought was to run.  Then she heard a soft, calming voice that dissipated the panic. 

“Welcome to this side of The Looking Glass.  Are you alright?  Sometimes passing through the portal can cause disorientation and emotional upheaval.”

“I-I am fine, at least I think so.  Y-You’re Red.  I-I mean Little Red Riding Hood! But we were told that you became a street urchin and severely addicted to Absinth!” Alice blurted, her mind reeling from the vision of Little Red Riding Hood standing in front of her.

“Not so little anymore Alice.  On this side of The Looking Glass, instead of being stunted, I flourished.  I grew up to become the person I was always meant to be.  I have never been happier or more content.  Things are not perfect, but here, I learn to work through obstacles, not pretend they don’t exist or blame them on some unseen evil.”

One thing you will learn very quickly living on this side of The Looking Glass, is that the things taught by The WWMC (The Wizard, The Wicked Witch of the West, Maleficent, and Captain Hook) about this world, are more paranoia driven fantasy than actual fact. 

“You my dear, have so much to learn”, Red Riding Hood said, smiling sweetly at Alice.  “Here you will truly discover Wonderland.  Don’t worry, you won’t have to travel this journey alone.  Others who have crossed over will be here to help you along the way.”

“So Sweet Alice, come with me.  It is time for you to start your pilgrimage to discovering YOU.”

And with that Red Riding Hood took Alice’s arm and led her down the path from The Looking Glass.  Everything was bright and colorful.  Alice took a deep breath and realized the air smelled sweeter than on the other side. 

She smiled and thought to herself “I think I am going to like it here!” and picked up her pace to catch up with Red.

The End…Well, not really!


The moral of the story is this: It is hard to leave a belief system that has given you your world view and is the only thing you have ever known.  It is not just hard it is downright frightening.  However, if you crave freedom from mental bondage you have to be willing to take leap through the proverbial looking glass.  Believe me you will be very glad that you did. - SE

 Stepford Escapee