The Raven and the Reindeer

by T. Kingfisher

“Aur-k,” said Mousebones. “Compared to her, I’m a raven. And ravens do not bow to gods or men or giants.”

The old woman cackled, a really good cackle, the sort that you can only get if you are over the age of eighty and know how to drink.

“It’s surprisingly hard to fool very stupid people.”

You can be filled up and emptied out, but the pot does not become its contents.

“Words are like fish and you catch them and you get to keep them forever.”

“This is why you don’t mate with your nestmates,” said Mousebones pragmatically. “It’s always ‘Oh, yes, and remember the time you ate that cricket that I was supposed to get?’ for the rest of your life.” He paused, and then added, “Well, that and the inbreeding.”

There were no words in reindeer speech for I hate myself.

There is nothing in the world so patient as a plant awaiting spring.