Night Peach, a black cat, often leaves the tower where he lives with his mistress, Morning Star, whenever guests arrive. He hates noise and fuss.
He recently discovered an abandoned garden where everything is quiet and peaceful. He goes there to lie among fallen fragrant flowers under a huge lush bush, to drink rainwater from old clay pots, to sharpen his claws on a dry old oak, to play with bright rustling physalis pods, and to sleep on thick branches of ancient trees in the deep shade of their crowns.
One day he overslept through the whole day. When he finally woke up, the night had already fallen. The moon hung high and bright, casting silver light over the garden. Confused and disoriented, he blinked and saw a group of peculiar owls on a stone pedestal, along with a weasel. The owl in the center wore a crown.
The weasel spoke in a dry, official tone.
"To our great regret, the ominous signs continue to multiply. Strange marks have appeared on the Great Oak of Time. And a fuzzy caterpillar reports that she regularly finds unusual black hairs in the fallen petals of Nebulilac, as dark as the deepest night. The residents are deeply concerned."
One of the advisors nodded gravely.
"These are clear traces of dark magic," he said. "I believe it is time to seek help from the High Druid."
The other advisor shook his head.
"We cannot disturb him over trifles. We must be certain the situation is truly serious."
"The signs are as alarming as they could possibly be," the first advisor replied. "What could be more serious than this?"
There was a brief pause. The crowned owl straightened her feathers and spoke.
"Secretary Mizzle, please bring me a parchment. I will write a letter to the High Druid of Mornwood about our situation. After that, summon the Woodpecker, the Beaver, and the Bark Beetle to the Oak of Time. Perhaps they will be able to identify these symbols."
Night Peach yawned, stretched his back, and hurried back to the tower of Morning Star. He had missed his dinner, and that simply would not do.
He recently discovered an abandoned garden where everything is quiet and peaceful. He goes there to lie among fallen fragrant flowers under a huge lush bush, to drink rainwater from old clay pots, to sharpen his claws on a dry old oak, to play with bright rustling physalis pods, and to sleep on thick branches of ancient trees in the deep shade of their crowns.
One day he overslept through the whole day. When he finally woke up, the night had already fallen. The moon hung high and bright, casting silver light over the garden. Confused and disoriented, he blinked and saw a group of peculiar owls on a stone pedestal, along with a weasel. The owl in the center wore a crown.
The weasel spoke in a dry, official tone.
"To our great regret, the ominous signs continue to multiply. Strange marks have appeared on the Great Oak of Time. And a fuzzy caterpillar reports that she regularly finds unusual black hairs in the fallen petals of Nebulilac, as dark as the deepest night. The residents are deeply concerned."
One of the advisors nodded gravely.
"These are clear traces of dark magic," he said. "I believe it is time to seek help from the High Druid."
The other advisor shook his head.
"We cannot disturb him over trifles. We must be certain the situation is truly serious."
"The signs are as alarming as they could possibly be," the first advisor replied. "What could be more serious than this?"
There was a brief pause. The crowned owl straightened her feathers and spoke.
"Secretary Mizzle, please bring me a parchment. I will write a letter to the High Druid of Mornwood about our situation. After that, summon the Woodpecker, the Beaver, and the Bark Beetle to the Oak of Time. Perhaps they will be able to identify these symbols."
Night Peach yawned, stretched his back, and hurried back to the tower of Morning Star. He had missed his dinner, and that simply would not do.
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