The Huntsman and the Witches

Por/by Abraham Matias, Molly Mendoza

Everlasting Tales is a collection of multicultural fairy tales and folktales—honoring the stories passed down through oral tradition by refreshing and preserving them for new generations.

THE VILLAGE ELDERS ALWAYS WARNED: WHEN AN OWL HOOTS AND A CAT HISSES, DANGER IS NEAR.

Once upon a time, greed drove a Huntsman deep into the woods in search of a wild boar. As darkness and rain crept in, he ignored each sign to turn around.

When he stumbled upon a hut, the Huntsman kicked open the door and left a mess within.

HOO? HOO? HISSS! HISSS!

The sounds grew louder; something was coming. Then suddenly . . . all went silent.

The Witches had arrived.

And they were hungry.

(Everlasting Tales, 3) In the third book of the Everlasting Tales collection, Pura Belpré Award Winner Abraham Matias retells the darkly whimsical Mexican folktale of an arrogant hunter who ends up in a cabin full of hungry witches—with illustrations by Caldecott Honor-Winning illustrator Molly Mendoza. Back matter includes an author's note and a condensed tale in Spanish for bilingual readers, perfect all year and during Latinx heritage month and spooky season celebrations.