Chapter Two
Now in the evening, after the day's work was
done, the children would gather on the steps of the Temple to ask
questions and to be told stories. For they loved the stories that Brown
Goat made up. Even though they taught them lessons, they were
fun, and they loved to hear them. The favorite stories were the tales
of "Groam."
2 "Groam," explained Brown Goat, "was a Ground Dweller, a member of
that mysterious race that dug caves in the ground, and grew their crops
by means of magic glowing stones.
3 They are a strange creature to see indeed, for though they looked
like a man, their skin was like that of a new-born puppy; soft, smooth
and white. They had fur that hung long on their head, and their face,
but there was little hair on their bodies. They were an ugly people,
but their hearts were the kindest of any that lived.
4 Now Groam was a prince of these people, who was filled with a great
curiosity. 'Father,' he questioned 'why do we never venture to the land
above the ground? Why do we always hide in our caves when the
silver-skinned people come near?"
5 'Ages ago,' explained his father, 'we fell from the sky. The
silver-skinned people were savage and cruel, and killed many of us, so
we used our magic and fled them, living deep in the ground where THEY
could not find us. We are happy here, and peaceful, safe from their
harm.'
6 'That was many generations ago,' argued Groam, 'perhaps they have
changed since then. Let me go up and visit them. Perhaps now they will
greet us with friendship and harmony, and we may trade with them.
7 They have BIG animals to eat, and different