Short Story: Around the Tree

The darkest day of the year had passed, and it was the eve of horrors to come. Around the tall fir-tree, they had gathered to plot for jollier times. There they argued how to proceed. Fangs against teeth. A fur side by side with scales. Claws lifted to meet the paws. Their voices echoed against the snowy mountain tops. How could they cheat the beast of beasts? The one who knew all the secrets.

Some hissed, “To cheat the cheater, you have to be more clever than it.”

Another said, “To subdue...