kenoticeofthelivingthings.Youllknowtimeenoughbythem."

    "ButwhatifIwanttodraictureorwritesomeoe?"

    Luchógzippeduphisjacket."Write?Towhom?Mostofushavefot-tenhowtowriteentirely,andthosethathavent,didntlearninthefirstplace.Itisbettertohaveyoursayandingdowninmoreorlessaperma-waywhatyourethinkingorfeeling.Thatwayliesdanger,littletrea-sure."

    "ButIdoliketodrawpictures."

    Westartedacrossthering,whereSmaoladIgelstoodliketwotalltrees,ferring.BecauseLuchógwasthesmallestofusall,hehadtroublekeepingupwithme.Boungalongatmyside,hetinuedhisdisserta-tion.

    "So,youreanartist,areye?Nopendpaper?Doyouknowthattheartistsofoldmadetheiroerandpens?Outofanimalskinandbirdfeathers.Andinkfromsootandspit.Theydid,andfurtherbackstill,theyscratchedonstones.Illteachyouhowtoleaveyourmark,ayouthatpaperifyouwant,butiime."

    Whenwereachedtheleader,Igelclappedmeontheshoulderandsaid,"Youveearrust,Aniday.Listenahesetwo."

    Luchóg,SmaoladIsetoffintothewoods,andIlookedbacktowavegoodbye.Theotherfaeriessattogetherinbunches,huddledagainstthecold,ahesnowcoatthem,madandexposedstoics.

    Iwasthrilledatbeingoutofthatcamp,butmypanionsdidtheirbesttotrolmycuriosity.Theyletmestumbleaboutorailsforatimebeforemyclumsinessflushedacoveyofdovesfromtheirrest.Thebirdsexplodedintotheair,allpipesahers.Smaolachputafiohislips,andItookthehint.Copyingtheirmovements,Ibeearlyasgraceful,andwewalkedsoquietlythatIcouldhearthesnowfalloverthesoundofourfo