| Chapter 4: | Sicilian Folklore and American Comics |
university degrees.
When “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” opened in movie theaters in New York City, my mother came to my street for a visit and took me to see the film. I didn’t mind the looks of the Queen but I became frightened and closed my eyes tightly when she transformed herself into the Wicked Witch. I had never realized before seeing this film how wicked witches really were. I was now concerned since we had a witch living across the street from our building.
I asked grandma if there was cause for alarm. She didn’t think so since we had large horns right above our door in the kitchen. She told me that if the Witch was near me on the street I should quickly make the sign of the cross. Was she ever married? Did she have adult children living elsewhere? Had she given birth to little wicked witches? What were her super powers? Did she come from San Fratello? Grandma told me nothing about her. She simply told me not to worry about the Witch.
When our witch went out and that was rare, she was covered in a black shawl, long black dress and black shoes. Only her face was visible and she had a perpetual smile. She shopped along First Avenue with a black bag. She lived alone and never had visitors. With my binoculars and from my fourth story window, I had a clear view of the Witch who lived on the third floor of her building. She spent most of her life observing people from her window. And she smiled no matter what. She even smiled when there was thunder and lightning. When that happened I imagined flashes of light coming out of her white hair. One day she vanished. I couldn’t believe that the Witch was no longer sitting at her window