“Mousey-mousey, come out wherever you are,” called the Lumprotter. “You promised you’d come back.” He sighed and looked around. It was quiet, just like the forest. The Lumprotter didn’t like the quiet. He had seen so many humans and creatures, but no one came to talk to it. They were all up at the house. That was where he wanted to be. “If I move a little closer, no one will mind.” He flapped his ears and clapped his pudgy hands. The circle of rot around him slowly spread out. A strange, little creature ran right up to him and the Lumprotter stopped moving. No one had ever done that before. He watched it in shocked amazement. It twirled around, inches from his leg. Its long, white gown flowed behind it. One eye watched him, as the other dangled from its socket on a red string. It made a cl
