Chapter 9: The Cheshire Cat’s Smile

Alice comes to a crossroads.

There are many messy signposts all around.

She frowns and says, “Which way ought I to go?”

The more she looks, the more confused she feels.

Suddenly, a strange song comes from the forest.

The song sounds both mysterious and mischievous.

Alice looks around nervously.

She suddenly sees a big mouth in the darkness.

The mouth grins wide, showing shining teeth.

The smile grows clearer, and a cat’s face slowly appears.

Then the whole body of the cat appears.

It is a purple-and-pink striped cat, lying lazily on the tree.

The cat says, “Hello, little girl.”

Alice says, “Who are you?”

The cat smiles and says, “I am the Cheshire Cat.”

Alice says, “I am looking for a rabbit.”

The Cheshire Cat grins strangely and says, “The Rabbit is mad.”

Alice frowns and says, “I don’t want to look for mad people.”

The Cheshire Cat says, “Almost everyone here is mad.”

He adds, “You must have noticed that.”

The cat’s grin grows wider.

The cat says, “I am not normal either.”

Alice opens her eyes wide, feeling both afraid and curious.

The cat gives a strange laugh and slowly fades into the night.

Only the grin remains in the darkness, shining faintly.