The Underneath discussion

I think one of the striking parallel themes between the two stories in The Underneath is that of temptation.

Puck is tempted out of The Underneath by the sun. Even though his action has dreadful consequences, would it be worth it to live a life in safety without sunlight? Was his decision to give into temptation right or wrong -- or was the calico cat wrong, or perhaps unwise, in insisting her children never leave the Underneath? (Oh, how allegorically pungent.)

Meanwhile, when Grandmother Moccasin tempts Night Song away from her human family and back into her snake form, I cannot help but be reminded of the Judeo/Christian story of Eve.

Where Puck is tempted away from his mother by the sun, Night Song is tempted back towards childhood -- to her carefree days of being loved and protected by Grandmother Moccasin. Like Puck, her decision to give into temptation has dreadful consequences.

It's this tension between innocence and maturity that, to me, gives The Underneath such an earthy, folkloric punch. Thoughts?

I don't know whether or not Kathi Appelt intended to use temptation as a theme, but you make a point. Both Puck and Night Song pay dearly for submitting to temptation.