Although no scientific explanation can be given for it, the Yark and Madeleine became the best of friends in no time at all.
Their happiness, then, could have been perfect.
As perfect as galloping through the forest accompanied by wild creatures, soaring over ocean cliffs, and sweeping up into the sky to quench their thirst on clouds.
As perfect as those nights without speaking, or just spent laughing, nestled in the hollow of a shoulder, listening to another’s heart beating.
Yes, everything could have been perfect.
But perfection is not of this world, and that happiness was soon to crumble away.
For the Monster was prey to two opposing feelings, two temptations so violent and contrary that they condemned his heart to torture.
Madeleine was so sweet and kind that he wanted with all his heart to cherish and protect her. Unfortunately, those very qualities also made him every bit as eager to eat her! He had to struggle relentlessly against himself, struggle against all he’d been since the dawn of time, struggle against the child-eating Monster that he was.
Ah, the dreadful dilemma! For the Yark would have preferred to die a thousand deaths than to hurt Madeleine.
The Yark resolved to subdue his instincts. No, his hunger would not triumph! No, his stomach would not dictate his fate! And for the ennobling of his soul, he told himself, art offered the ideal medium.
And so, the Yark became a painter.
His brush first sketched out lovely apples, handsome pears, then all of a sudden, DECAPITATED CHILDREN’S HEADS!
He immediately abandoned painting for sculpture. His chisel first carved out lovely spheres, handsome blocks, then all of a sudden, DECAPITATED CHILDREN’S HEADS!
He decided that pottery might suit him better. His fingers first shaped lovely vases, handsome bowls, then all of a sudden, DECAPITATED CHILDREN’S HEADS!
The Yark put an end to his artistic career by furiously trampling his leftover clay.
Seeing her friend downhearted, the little girl decides one evening to make him a dainty dessert.
“Here you are,” she says, handing him a platter of buttery madeleines. The Monster lifts one of the tiny cakes to his trembling lips. The madeleine dissolves on his tongue and the Yark bursts into tears.
And so he confesses his terrible secret.
He tells Madeleine the extent of his shame. He tells her what a danger he is to her. He tells her he must leave. And he tells her how very frightened he’s been of eating her!
A shudder runs through Madeleine. But it’s not the threat of danger that makes her tremble. It’s realizing all the love the Monster feels for her.
Distressed at the thought of him going away, she offers her hand to his jaws, without hesitation.
“Take a bite! Just a few fingers! I have plenty… Eat a few if it will calm your appetite!”
For a head-spinning moment, the Yark is tempted. But he gently folds the little pink hand and kisses it.
“Hunger is one form of suffering,” he tells her. “But to hurt you would be a far worse one.”
There. Everything has been said. Now the Yark must leave. When he opens the windows, Madeleine tries to hold him back.
“Don’t leave me!”
The Monster pushes her away with a desperate growl.
“Are you really so eager to be eaten?”
In a single leap, he springs onto the roof and Madeleine implores him one last time.
“If you love me, stay…”
The Yark smiles sadly at her.
“You still don’t understand? It’s love that’s making me leave you…”
He rises into the sky and, her eyes filled with tears, Madeleine watches her friend disappear amongst the stars.
Lost in space, the broken-hearted Monster lets himself fall. His sorrow weighs a thousand tons. He plummets like a rock, straight toward earth.
And he lands with a crash in the depths of the forest.