From the introduction: The hamlet where I was born was a peaceful place. In summer shepherds took their cattle beyond the Enchanted Forest high into the summer pastures of the mountain. In the fall they brought them down again. Seasons passed one after another, and no child ever went near the Enchanted forest out of fear of the Witch. It was said that she would never come out of the Forest but some had seen her at the edge, beckoning come closer to small children in the lower pastures. The dogs would bark and the shepherds kept the children close saying, "look and do not forget the old hag of the wood, stay out of the Forest or she will surely eat you for supper." Sometimes the shepherds would talk amongst themselves of the old witch, and I overheard them say that the way through the Enchanted Forest was bewitched and that the forest had a mind of its own. The path was known to shift and turn and if you were not careful you might find the cottage of the witch and be lost forever, for it was well known that she would waylay travelers.