*

… “As I see it,” continues Wen, “we have two possible identities for an Old Woman who tends a Herb Garden and can be described as an Enchantress, or an Ogress…”

“Only two?”

“She is either Mother Earth or she is Mother Nature.”

“The first is very old and the other is much, much older than the first.”

“The different versions may even be emphasising different roles.”

“Basile’s Ogre would be Mother Earth.”

“The Grimms’ Enchantress would be Mother Nature.”

“Or, we may be able to argue for a combination of both the roles in one character?”

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