[The following takes place many years before the events of Sítio do Picapau Amarelo (Yellow Woodpecker Farm). Nariziho and Pedriho have not been born yet, and Cuca has yet to become the legendary child-eating alligator witch of Brazil.]
I'm a little Alligator girl who lives all alone in the Tucanos forest. I don't know where I came from, but the only thing I know for sure is that I hate humans... especially children!
Human children have families who spoil them and give them nice things, but they never give ME anything! One day, I'll become a witch that all children will fear; a witch that will eat them up if they step into my forest! One day, all those children will know my name! They’ll have nightmares about Cuca!
The only humans I make an exception to are witches... Witches are powerful, wicked, in tune with nature, and love magic creatures like me. Best of all, they hate children too! They were even nice enough to give me a bunch of their old books about magic to study! I'll be the scariest, more powerful, and most beautiful witch in no time at all!
I stand under a tree, looking up at a spider that has made its web between its branches. I grin as I hold up my hands and wiggle my fingers as if imitating a ghost.
"BOO!"
The spider doesn't even flinch. I frown.
"Stupid Spider! You're supposed to be afraid of me! I'm Cuca! And I'm going to be a powerful witch someday! Know your place! Just for defying me, I'll turn you into stone!"
I picked up a twig, holding it like a magic wand before using it to cast a spell! I end up turning the tree into a stone sculpture of one, but the Spider remains sitting on its web completely unchanged and undisturbed.
Upon seeing I botched the spell, I stomp my feet and wave my fists in frustration.
"No! No! No! That wasn't supposed to happen! Stupid stick!"
As I continue to throw a tantrum, I fail to notice you standing right behind me…