,/ORIES ( ! ,BE> & ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,>AGORN6 

,TEXT 3 

,/ORIES ( ! ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE 

 ,! FIR/ P>T ( AN ONGO+ S]IES ( ,AN>*I/ ,MY?S 

,OH COME DANCE ) ME1 ,RACCOONS 

,WE'VE FEET & ! TIME TO %>E 

,WE >E ! PEOPLE :O HAVE *OS5 LIFE 

,MORE ?AN !Y W\LD KN[ 

,OH COME RUN ) ME1 ,RACCOONS 

!Y CAN'T UND]/& 

GRAYNESS & ! DEA? ( R\T9E 

FROM :I* WE RUN AWAY 

,OH COME S+ ) ME1 ,RACCOONS 

,WE'VE BE5 QUIET = F> TOO LONG 

WE MU/ S+ ! /ORIES 

( \R PASSIONS & DESIRES 

,OH COME SE>* ) ME1 ,RACCOONS 

FOOD & RE/ >5'T EASY TO F9D 

,LET'S F9D ! WORLD B5EA? 

:]E WE W\LD RA!R BE 

7,WE DANCE7 BECAUSE WE >E ALIVE4 

,WE >E NOT ( %AD[ OR GRAY 

BUT ( BONE1 FUR & HI< SPIRITS4 

,TO LIFE6 

,9TRODUCTION 

,?IS IS ! BEG9N+ ( AN AN>*I/ MY?OLOGY4 ,WE LIVE 9 A WORLD HAUNT$ BY O!R PEOPLE'S GODS & /ORIES4 ,/ORIES ( LEAD]S & SUBJECTS1 VICTORIES & DEFEATS1 JEAL\SY & MALICE1 MAY FRAME ?IS WORLD BUT !Y DO NOT FRAME US4 

,MY?OLOGY IS AN IMPORTANT P>T ( CULTURE4 ,IT IS ! WAY ?AT TRUE /ORIES CAN BE TOLD )\T GETT+ DI/RACT$ BY ! FACT ?AT NO?+ IS EV] AS SIMPLE AS TRU?4 ,I W\LD >GUE ?AT AN>*I/ MY?OLOGIES HAVE SUFF]$ BY BE+ CONFUS$ ) AN>*I/ HI/ORY4 

,H]E >E ! FIR/ ( SEV]AL 7AT LEA/ ?REE7 SETS ( /ORIES AB\T AN>*I/S WE KN[4 ,AT LEA/ HALF ( !SE /ORIES >E AB\T REAL EV5TS ?AT ,I HAVE FIR/ OR SECOND H& KN[L$GE (4 ,! RE/ >E AB\T ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE G5]ALLY4 ,:ILE ,I AM %>+ !SE /ORIES !Y >E NOT M9E4 ,MY DEEPE/ GOAL ) !SE /ORIES 9 P>TICUL> >E ?AT !Y PASS 9TO ! H&S ( ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE !MSELVES & >E %>$ ?R\< SONG & TRANS=M ?R\< ! MEMORY ( ! PEOPLE 9TO ! TRU?S ,I CAN ONLY PEEK AT4 

,I ONLY ASK TO BE 9VIT$ TO DANCE ALONG4 

--,>AGORN6 

,:O >E ! ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE8 

,MU* LIKE US1 ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE NE$ FOOD1 %ELT] & EA* O!R4 ,Y\ HAVE PROBABLY SE5 !M >\ND3 9 ! CORN] ( Y\R EYE1 RAC+ TO OR FROM ONE %AD[ TO ! NEXT1 OR 9 SOME 9DU/RIAL SETT+ SCAV5G+ METAL OR FOOD4 ,:5 Y\R EYE RE/S ON ONE ( ! PEOPLE Y\ WILL NOTICE A FEW ?+S4 ,! ,RACCOON PEOPLE HAVE A FA%ION ?AT IS BO? S5SIBLE & FLAMBOYANT1 LAY]S ( CLO? ?AT WE> WELL1 CAN BE COV]$ UP = BL5D+ 9 & ?AT SCREAM AT ! L9ES & CUT ( NORMAL FA%ION4 ,! ,RACCOON PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE /RAI<T L9ES1 %>P CORN]S1 OR COLD FLOORS4 ,?IS DOES NOT MEAN ?AT !Y DO NOT SUFF] !SE ?+S2 !Y JU/ DON'T SUFF] 9 SIL5CE4 

,! ,RACCOON PEOPLE LIVE BY SIMPLE RULES3 LIVE LIFE TO ITS FULLE/1 NO CONCESSION TO A WORLD ( MIS]Y1 & RUN TO FI<T ANO!R DAY4 

,I FIR/ MET ONE ( ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE :5 ,I WAS ONLY A *ILD4 ,HE WAS VISIT+ MY P>5TS1 DRESS$ 9 ! FA%ION ( ! TIME1 & HE TREAT$ HIMSELF TO \R FOOD & \R COMPANY4 ,I HAD NEV] MET A HAPPI] P]SON4 ,I ALT]NAT$ BETWE5 B\NC+ ON HIS KNEE1 WRE/L+ ) HIM OV] ! LA/ PIECE ( BREAD1 & RAC+ >\ND ! JUNGLE ( \R BACKY>D ) HIM1 AN ADULT UNLIKE ANY ,I HAD EV] MET BE=E1 OR S9CE4 

,HE LEFT BEH9D A LITTLE BUCKSK9 FIGUR9E TO REMEMB] HIM BY4 0,RUB ?IS BETWE5 Y\R PALMS & SAY MY NAME4 ,I WILL NOT PROMISE ?AT ,I WILL COME BACK TO Y\ BUT ,I PROMISE ?AT MY MEMORY WILL1 & (T5 TIMES ?AT WILL BE 5\<40 

,:5 HE LEFT \R H\SE MY P>5TS /OPP$ SPEAK+ TO EA* O!R4 ,SOME?+ AB\T HIS VISIT REM9D$ !M ?AT !Y W]E NOT WORK+ \T ! WAY ?AT !Y EXPECT$ & EA* ( !M BEGAN TO LOOK = SOME?+ ELSE4 ,O!R PEOPLE PASS$ ?R\<1 GLASS WAS BROK51 VOICES W]E RAIS$ NOT 9 SONG & EV5TUALLY FEET WALK$ 9 DIFF]5T DIRECTIONS4 

,LAT] 9 LIFE ,I F\ND MORE ,RACCOON PEOPLE4 ,!Y USUALLY DID NOT HAVE TIME = ME BECAUSE ,I WAS LOOK+ & !Y HAD ALREADY F\ND4 ,!Y W]E A M]RY PEOPLE1 RUNN+ 9 GR\PS1 SPEAK+ 9 CODE1 DRESS+ LIKE EXPLOSIONS & C>\SELS4 ,BOTTLES 9 H&1 HOLES 9 %OES1 SCABS ON JO9TS2 !SE W]E A PEOPLE WOR? KN[+444 

,:O >E ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE8 ,A FEW MAY PASS ?R\< Y\R LIFE OR Y\ MAY SEE !M AT ! P>K4 ,! ,RACCOON PEOPLE LIVE A DREAM ?AT WE F9D ON ! TIPS ( \R TONGUES4 ,!Y >E PEOPLE :O MAKE ! *OICE NOT TO BE 9 A WORLD ( PLODD+ & DRUDG]Y4 

,H[ ,RACCOON GIRL F\ND ! WORLD 

,BE=E ?IS TIME ! ,GREAT-,PLA9-,ABOVE WAS D>K4 ,! ONLY LI<T WAS FROM ! UNKN[ABLE FIRE4 ,ELSE:]E !RE WAS ONLY D>KNESS & ALL WAS CALM4 ,BUT !RE WAS ,RACCOON ,GIRL1 ! ONE :O W\LD DANCE ALONE1 ! SMIL+ %AD[1 ! FIR/ ONE TO ! CELEBRATION & ! LA/ ONE TO LEAVE4 

,RACCOON ,GIRL HOPP$ FROM ! FIRE TO ,GREAT-,PLA9-,ABOVE4 ,%E NEV] BURNT1 %E NEV] /OPP$4 ,%E DID NOT TIRE4 ,H] DELI<T AT ! LEAPS & %IFT+ ( LI<T & D>K WAS SU* ?AT LAU<T] RANG \T4 ,H] LEAPS W\LD PU% ! FIRE 9TO ! %APES ( BASKETS1 BE>S & OAKS4 ,H] BREA? WAS FIRE ACROSS ! SKY4 ,H] ONLY ?\<T WAS ON ! BEAT ( FEET AGA9/ ! FLAME & ! ,GREAT-,PLA9-,ABOVE4 

,OV] TIME ! DANCE *ANG$4 ,!RE W]E MORE ?+S TO B\NCE (F ( & TO LI/5 TO4 ,! S\NDS BECAME MORE COMPLEX AS E*OES1 MELODIES1 & RHY?MS BEGAN TO MAT]IALIZE4 ,AS %E DANC$1 ,RACCOON ,GIRL SE>*$ = !SE S\NDS & W\LD MOVE 9 NEW WAYS TO REFLECT :AT WAS NEW 9 :AT %E HE>D4 ,AT ONE PO9T ! NEW MOVEM5T CAUS$ ,RACCOON ,GIRL TO /UMBLE & FALL4 ,:]E H] HEAD FELL %E CALL$ HOME = A TIME4 ,%E NAM$ IT ,RE/+-,DANCE-,PLACE & LE>N$ H[ TO CLIMB TREES1 COOL H] FEET 9 A /REAM1 & MAKE ACORN MA%4 

,>\ND H] ,RACCOON ,GIRL F\ND MANY DANC+ P>TN]S & PROCE$$ TO %>E ) !M H] BREA? & TIME4 ,! TURTLE IS A SL[ P>TN] BUT PRODUCES LOVELY S\NDS & NEV] COMPLA9S4 ,! BEAV] IS A DUTIFUL DANC] LE>N+ ONLY A FEW MOVES & DO+ !M WELL 7BE=E /OPP+ & RETURN+ TO BEAV] TASKS74 ,! BE> ONLY DANCES IF PRODD$ & POK$ & !N ONLY = A MOM5T AS !Y HAD O!R CONC]NS4 ,! SALMON MADE WOND]FUL DANC]S AS !Y W\LD FLY HI<] & NEV] =GET A DANCE MOVE4 ,BUT IT WAS ! O!R ,RACCOONS :O KEPT ,RACCOON ,GIRL FROM FLY+ (F ,RE/+-,DANCE-,PLACE ALTOGE!R4 

,BUT ! TIME DID COME TO /OP DANC+1 & :5 IT DID MANY =GOT AB\T ! TIME :5 ! ,RE/+-,DANCE-,PLACE RES\ND$ ) SONG & ! JOY ( MOV+4 ,!Y MADE DECISIONS AB\T :5 ! RI<T TIME TO DANCE1 PLAY & EAT W\LD BE4 ,!Y BELIEV$ ?AT !Y [N$ ?+S4 ,!SE PEOPLE BECAME ! GRAY & APPE> TO COV] ,RE/+-,DANCE-,PLACE ) !IR WE$S & TRA% BUT FEA/+ BEL[1 (T5 \T ( SI<T1 >E ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE WAIT+ = ! GRAY TO WALK AWAY1 TO RETURN TO :]E !Y >E FROM1 TO REMEMB] TO DANCE4 

,ABOVE US ALL IS ,RACCOON ,GIRL SP9N+ AB\T & B\ND+ FROM PLACE TO PLACE LEAV+ TRAILS UPON ! SKY & %APES TO REMEMB] H] BY4 ,RACCOON ,GIRL HAS PROMIS$ US NO?+1 BUT ! RHY?M ( H] FEET IS /ILL UND] \R FEET REM9D+ US ( :AT %E F\ND4 

,! /ORY ( F9D+ ! ,BASKET ( ,PL5TY 

,!RE WAS A TIME1 :5 PASS+ ?R\< ! GRAY-WE$-=E/1 ?AT ,RACCOON PEOPLE HAD TO 5DURE ! ORD]S & S]MONS ( ! GRAY 9 ORD] TO EAT4 ,?REATS ( FIRE1 EXCLUSION1 & AN ET]NITY ( PA9 MADE ASSOCIAT+ ) ! GRAY AN OBVI\SLY DANG]\S ACTIVITY4 ,MANY ( ! PEOPLE W\LDN'T EV5 TAKE !IR FOOD BECAUSE ! FLAVOR WAS TOO GRAY4 

,! ONES :O REFUS$ TO 5DURE ?IS W\LD BEG O!R GRAY = SCRAPS & TAKE :AT !Y GOT4 ,SCORN1 COLDNESS1 PITY1 FE>1 & AN OCCASIONAL BOOT WAS :AT ! GRAY EXACT$ = ! MEAG] GIFTS !Y W\LD BE/[4 ,!RE HAD TO BE A BETT] WAY6 

,F9D+ OBJECTS WAS ALWAYS A TAL5T ?AT ,RACCOON PEOPLE HAD1 ) AN EYE \T = %9Y1 USEFUL1 & $IBLE ?+S 9 ! WORLD4 ,SOMETIMES ?IS W\LD BE 9 A NEV]-%>E-PLACE :]E !Y W\LD BE *AS$ AFT] ! SIMPLE/ TA/E OR ATTEMPT AT %>+4 ,! GRAY HAD ALL K9DS ( RULES AB\T H[ TO BEHAVE & SEEM$ P>TICUL>LY AV]SE TO %>+4 ,?IS C\LD BE P>TICUL>LY H>D = ,RACCOONS PASS+ ?R\<4 

,ONE DAY ,RACCOON ,=TUNE WAS PASS+ BY A NEV]-%>E-PLACE ) A PA9 9 HIS BELLY4 ,9/EAD ( LAM5T+ ! FACT ?AT ! GRAY HAD A GU>D 7ALONG ) NOISE MAK]S & FIRE7 PLAC$ AT ! 5TRANCE1 HE DECID$ HE W\LD SNEAK 9 ! BACK4 ,BECAUSE AFT] ALL1 IF !Y FACE 9 ONE DIRECTION Y\ MU/ COME AT !M FROM ANO!R4 ,9 GO+ >\ND ! BACKSIDE ( ! NEV]-%>E-PLACE ,=TUNE WAS AMAZ$ TO DISCOV] ?AT ! V]Y ?+S HE DESIR$ W]E ACTUALLY PIL$ UP 9 ! BACK4 ,!Y W]E 9SIDE A H>D-BASKET PLAC$ NEXT TO HIS GOAL4 

,:Y BO!R GO+ 9SIDE IF :AT Y\ WANT IS RI<T !RE = ! TAK+8 

,& TAKE HE DID3 PILES ( FOOD1 5\< = HIMSELF1 HIS FRI5DS1 & EV]Y /RANG] HE W\LD MEET ?R\<\T ! DAY ,AT ! 5D ( ! DAY HE W\LD RETURN & MORE FOOD W\LD HAVE REPLAC$ :AT HE HAD TAK5 E>LI]4 ,HE BR\<T HIS FRI5DS TO ?IS PLACE1 & TO O!R SIMIL> PLACES LIE W\LD F9D1 & CALL$ !SE PLACES ! BASKET-(-PL5TY & ALL WAS GOOD4 

,H[ ,RACCOON BOY F\ND HIMSELF 

,EV]Y SEV5 SUNS IT WAS ! SAME4 ,DRESS 9 :ITE & /& ) O!R BOYS & %\T AB\T H[ MU* HI<] & BETT] ?AN Y\ SOMEONE ELSE WAS4 ,OBEY AN OLD MAN :O WASN'T V]Y NICE & A LADY :O KEPT EV]YONE 9 L9E4 

,ONE DAY WAS DIFF]5T4 ,NO?+ W\LD EV] BE ! SAME4 ,9/EAD ( S++ SOMEONE ELSE'S SONG1 \R FRI5D DECID$ TO S+ HIS [N SONG4 ,! WORDS W]E AB\T H[ NO ONE IS HI<] ?AN ANYONE ELSE & ?AT ! DEAD %\LD /AY UND]GR\ND & NOT LIVE FULL] LIVES ?AN ?OSE :O SIT 9 R[S & KNEEL4 ,! RHY?M WAS TO ! S\ND ( ! O!R BOYS HOLL]+ & FUSS+ BECAUSE HE WASN'T FOLL[+ ALONG & BECAUSE HE /EPP$ \T ( L9E4 ,! PUNCTUATION WAS PU%+ ! OLD MAN \T ( ! WAY4 

,! DAY ?AT ,RACCOON ,BOY F\ND HIMSELF EV]Y?+ *ANG$4 ,NO LONG] DID HE SEE ! DIFF]5T FACES ( :AT HE HAD LONG SUFF]$4 ,EV]YONE >\ND HIM WAS UNI=MLY GRAY4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS BRI<T] AT NI<T & EV5 MUNDANE PLACES %[$ !MSELVES TO BE FILL$ ) SECRETS & TREASURE4 

,HE TRI$ TO S+ TO FAMILY & FRI5DS1 TO %[ !M ! WAY \T ( ! GRAY BUT !Y W]E NOT 9T]E/$4 0,RESPONSIBILITY0 WAS !IR REFRA9 & ?IS WAS :AT HE LEFT BEH9D AS HE PUT ON HIS ,RACCOON COAT & LEFT !M =EV]4 0,Y\ WILL NOT SEE ME AGA9 UNTIL Y\ /OP TURN+ EV]Y?+ 9TO =MULA & R\T9E4 ,I WILL NOT GR9D MYSELF TO DEA? ) HABIT60 

,9 BECOM+ ,RACCOON ,BOY HE DIDN'T KN[ BUT ?AT HIS SONG WAS ! SONG ?AT EV]Y ,RACCOON P]SON MU/ F9D IF !Y >E TO F9D !MSELVES4 ,SOLIT>Y & SOCIAL ! ,RACCOONS COME TO ! SONG & S+ ALONG3 DISCORDANT & L\D 5\< TO SC>E AWAY ! GRAY4 

,! ,RACCOON & ! RA9 

,LIKE MANY :O HAVE TAK5 ON ! CLOAK AT AN OLD] AGE1 ,RACCOON ,*>M+ ,REV5GE FELT AS ?\< HE HAD TO BE EXTRA L\D TO BE HE>D OV] ! RAUC\S LAU<T] & S++ ( HIS FRI5DS4 ,HE DIDN'T1 ( C\RSE3 HIS EXCIT+ TALES ( ESCAPE FROM ! GRAY W]E REASON 5\< TO LI/5 TO HIS IDEAS & PLANS EV5 IF Y\ DISAGRE$ ) !M4 

,HE TOLD ( H[ HE HAD BE5 HYPNOTIZ$ BY ! ,BEAV] PEOPLE AS A Y\NG BOY4 ,H[ !Y CONV9C$ HIM ?AT HAPP9ESS LAY 9 ! BUILD+ & CONTROLL+ ( EV]Y LITTLE ?+3 CONTROLL+ FOOD & %ELT] & WORK+4 ,H[ HE WAS LE>N+ H[ TO BUILD :5 ! GRAY CAPTUR$ HIM4 ,! BEAV]S DID NOT LIKE ! GRAY BUT1 ) TE>S 9 !IR EYES1 LET ! GRAY 9 TO CAPTURE ,*>M+ ,REV5GE = FE> ?AT ! GRAY W\LD DE/ROY ,REAV] DAMS & WAT]WAYS4 ,IF ! GRAY HAD NOTIC$ ! ,BEAV] PROJECTS !Y PROBABLY W\LD HAVE DE/ROY$ !M4 ,9/EAD !Y JU/ TOOK ,*>M+ ,REV5GE4 

,! /ORIES ( H[ ! GRAY TREAT PEOPLE 9 ! NAME ( SAM5ESS W]E HORRIBLE 9DE$4 ,!Y W\LD =CE SOLITUDE & ! C>RY+ ( WEI<TS4 

,!Y W\LD B]ATE3 9SULT & 9FLICT PHYSICAL PUNI%M5T4 ,! GRAY ACTUALLY W\LD TRY TO BREAK LIV+ PEOPLE FROM !IR DREAMS 9 ORD] TO MAKE !M GRAY4 ,!Y W\LD CALL ?IS $UCATION4 

,A SWEET BOY1 A LITTLE TOO DI/RACT$ BY ! />S 9 HIS EYES TO NOTICE ! GR\ND B5EA? HIS FEET1 ,*>M+ ,REV5GE HAD TO ESCAPE ! GRAY :5 HE TOOK ON ! CLOAK ( ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE4 ,:5 ,*>M+ ,REV5GE F9ALLY GOT AWAY & TOOK ! CLOAK HE REFUS$ TO EV] TAKE IT (F4 ,HE W\LD WE> NO?+ BUT HIS ,RACCOON CAPE4 ,HE W\LD NOT EV5 ACKN[L$GE ! COLOR GRAY1 !RE WAS ONLY BLACK1 BR[N & DIRT4 ,OV] TIME HE BEGAN TO %[ SIGNS ( WE>4 ,O!RS W\LD SAY1 0JUMP 9 ! RIV]1 FILL A BASKET ) WAT]1 OR AT ! V]Y LEA/ JUMP 9TO ! S&Y BANKS & SETTLE D[N ! SMELL60 ,BUT ?IS W\LD NOT DO = ,*>M+ ,REV5GE4 ,LIKE MANY ( ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE HE /ILL LIV$ 9 ! GRAY-WE$-=E/ & WAS LIMIT$ BY ! WAY !Y DID ?+S4 0,I WILL NOT HURT ! WAT] BY =C+ IT ?R\< ! GRAY-CREEK-?AT-RUNS-HOME4 ,I W\LD RA!R (F5D ! GRAY S5SIBILITY ?AN B[ TO ! WAY ?AT !Y W\LD =CE US TO LIVE60 ,?IS QUIET$ MO/ ( HIS FRI5DS1 BUT SATISFI$ FEW ( !M4 

,SOME ,BEAV]S SAID TO HIM 0,IF Y\ DO NOT B5D Y\R KNEE Y\ CANNOT COME 9TO \R HOME BECAUSE Y\ (F5D US ) Y\R SMELL40 

,SO HE SAT \TSIDE4 ,IT W\LD RA9 & HE W\LD SAY1 0,EV5 ! RA9 IS CORRUPT 9 A GRAY WORLD1 FILL$ ) GRAY WA/E & !IR DEA?-WOR%IP-LIFE4 ,I WILL WAIT UNTIL !Y >C GONE & ! RA9 IS CLEAN 5\< = ME40 

,/ILL HE WAITS4 ,! WAT] & ! AIR >E NO CLEAN]4 

,H[ ,RACCOON GIRL F\ND H]SELF 

,LIKE MANY O!R GOOD PEOPLE ,RACCOON ,GIRL DID NOT KN[ H]SELF1 & HAD TO BE F\ND4 ,%E M>*$ TO ! NEV]-LE>N-PLACE ALONG ) ALL ( ! O!RS ?AT %E KNEW & DIDN'T KN[4 ,%E WAS PUNI%$ :5 %E W\LD JUMP \T ( L9E OR MOVE TO ! RHY?M ( ! WORLD4 ,%E WAS =C$ TO MOVE H] BODY BY ROTE & ORD]4 ,%E F\ND H] FACE WET FROM SADNESS BECAUSE :AT %E HAD TO DO WAS SO DIFF]5T ?AN :AT %E FELT4 ,%E WAS TOLD ?AT BE+ SAD WAS A NORMAL P>T ( LE>N+ & ?AT %E JU/ NE$$ TO GET OV] IT4 

,:5 %E DID %E WAS REW>D$ ) GIFTS & SMILES4 0,Y\ >E SPECIAL 9DE$60 EXCLAIM$ H] TEA*]S & TOGE!R !Y HAT*$ A PLAN TO MAKE ,RACCOON ,GIRL 7:O WAS KN[N BY H] DEAD NAME AT ! TIME7 A P]=M]4 ,%E W\LD MOVE H] BODY = O!R PEOPLE & EV]YONE W\LD APPRECIATE H] SKILL & GRACE4 

,ONE DAY %E HAD A P]=MANCE = IMPORTANT PEOPLE4 ,!SE >E PEOPLE LIKE O!RS EXCEPT MORE SO4 ,SPECIAL 9DE$ WAS ?IS DAY1 EV]YONE MADE A GREAT FUSS1 BUT ,RACCOON ,GIRL FELT NO?+4 ,%E W5T TO ! RO( ( ! NEV]-LE>N-PLACE :]E %E WAS TO P]=M & CRI$ & REMEMB]$ H] SADNESS4 ,:5 !Y F\ND H] !Y MADE A GREAT CRY 0,IMPORTANT PEOPLE >E WAIT+ ON Y\4 ,! P]=MANCE MU/ BEG9 N[60 0,:Y80 ASK$ ,RACCOON ,GIRL4 0,I DON'T WANT TO DANCE = !M4 ,I DON'T WANT TO DANCE = Y\ OR ANYONE BUT ME4 ,I WANT TO DANCE4 ,I DON'T WANT TO WE> UNCOM=TABLE CLO?+ & BE TOLD :AT TO DO4 ,?IS IS :AT MY BODY WANTS TO DO60 ,%E SAID & BEGAN TO DANCE4 ,H] DANCE WAS FI]CE & DANG]\S AS IT KICK$ UP GRAVEL ON ! TOP ( ! NEV]-LE>N-PLACE4 ,! GRAY TRI$ TO SL[ H] D[N4 0,Y\ WILL HURT Y\RSELF4 ,LET'S GET D[N (F ( H]E & TALK AB\T IT40 ,NEV] UND]/&+ :AT WAS GO+ ON4 

,AFT] SOME TIME & AFT] H] FACE HAD DRI$ ,RACCOON ,GIRL JUMP$ FROM ! NEV]-LE>N-PLACE & WAS GONE4 

,H[ ! ,RACCOONS TRICK$ ! ,BE> 

,! ,BE> PEOPLE >E NOT ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE4 ,!Y CAN BE 9T]E/+ & !Y >E FI]CE FI<T]S BUT !Y >E NOT P>TICUL>LY GOOD COMPANIONS OR MU* 9 ! WAY ( DANC]S4 

,ONE EV5+ AT ! POND ALL ! LOCAL ,RACCOONS W]E PLAY+ & %\T+ 9 ! SAME PLACE AS A P>TICUL>LY GRUFF BE>4 ,HE WAS KN[N = GR[L+ & BLOCK+ ! ,RACCOONS 9 ! PA/ & ?IS TIME SP5T HALF ! EV5+ *AS+ ,RACCOONS AWAY = ! SAKE ( FI%+ & QUIET4 

,AT ONE PO9T ,RACCOON BOY SET A FIRE ) L[ FLAME BUT MU* SMOKE4 

,?IS DROVE ! BE> TO NUISANCE BECAUSE ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE CONT9U$ TO PLAY & NOT TAKE S]I\SLY ! BE>'S BELL[ TO C>RY ! POND TO ! FIRE4 ,EV5TUALLY ! SMOKE SUMMON$ ! GRAY & !Y ASK$ ! BE> :Y !RE WAS A FIRE8 ,DIDN'T HE KN[ ?AT ! CORRECT WAY TO HAVE A FIRE IS 9 A CAVE8 ,ON A /ICK8 ,GAT$8 ,GU>D$8 

,! BE> WAS FLU/]$ & TRI$ TO EXPLA9 ?AT ,RACCOON ,BOY HAD SET ! FIRE = NO GOOD REASON BUT !RE W]E NO ,RACCOONS >\ND TO CONFRONT ! GRAY4 ,!Y HAD ALREADY GONE TO LAU< & SLEEP1 & TELL /ORIES ( ! TIME ?AT !Y LEFT ! BE> HOLD+ ! BAG4 

,RACCOON )-BRUISES 

,! GRAY =CE PEOPLE TO LIVE H>D LIVES4 ,TO GET FROM PLACE TO PLACE WE MU/ SIT ON L9E-ROLL+-BASKETS HIDD5 FROM !IR EYES4 ,WE MU/ RUN FROM !M :5 IT /OPS4 ,WE MU/ C>RY WET SK9S ) US :5 WE TRAVEL = FE> ?AT ! GRAY WILL /OP 9 A PLACE :]E WE CANNOT BREA! O!RWISE4 ,WE MU/ BR+ LAY]S UPON LAY]S = W>M? & PROTECTION FROM ! H>D COLD SURFACES ( ! L9E-ROLL+-BASKETS4 

,ONE DAY ,RACCOON ,ROV] HAD JU/ TRAVEL$ FROM ,D5-(-,ROSES TO ,GRAY-BY-!-,BAY & WAS SE5 BY ! GRAY AS %E DEP>T$ FROM ! Y>D4 ,A *ASE 5SU$4 ,ROV] WAS CAPTUR$ & BEAT5 BECAUSE ( H] BURD5 & !IR /ICKS4 ,ROV] WAS BEAT5 SO BADLY ?AT %E WAS TRANS=M$ FROM A :OLE ,RACCOON TO ONE :OSE MISS+ P>TS W]E FILL$ 9 ) WOOD & RAGE4 ,%E BECAME ONE :O LIV$ =EV] 9 ! %AD[ ( TRY+ TO ESCAPE & BE+ CAPTUR$4 

,%E TAU<T ! O!R ,RACCOON PEOPLE AB\T RUNN+ & FI<T+4 0,!RE IS NO *ANCE WE WILL EV] ESCAPE UNTIL !Y >E GONE1 SO WE MU/ DECIDE H[ WE >E GO+ TO MAKE ?AT HAPP54 ,MANY SAY IT WILL BE BY OV]RUNN+ !M ) \R NUMB]S1 ,I SAY IT %\LD BE BY TOO? & CLAW4 ,WE MU/ MAKE A ,GREAT ,ESCAPE60 

,%E CONT9U$ TO MOVE FROM PLACE TO PLACE & SPREAD ! WORD ( ! ,RACCOONS & ,! ,GREAT ,ESCAPE4 ,%E W\LD %>E SONGS & DANCE AB\T ?AT TIME4 '0,! TIME ( ,ESCAPE WILL BE ONE :5 ! GRAY WILL BE ( ! SAME SIZE AS ! PEOPLE & WE CAN LIVE OP5LY 9/EAD ( 9 %AD[ & RA940 ,! ,ESCAPE HAS BE5 TALK$ AB\T BY G5]ATIONS ( ,RACCOONS :O HAVE BE5 HURT & BRUIS$ = ! TELL+4 

,HAV+ BE5 DEEPLY BRUIS$ ,ROV] BELIEV$ ?AT :AT HAD HURT H] HAD TO BE REMOV$ 9 ! SAME WAY4 ,H] HE>T WAS SO FULL ?AT EV]YONE %E T\*$ REMEMB]$ H] LESSON4 

,! NAMELESS ,RACCOON 

,AS IMPORTANT AS DONN+ ! CLOAK1 COAT1 OR HAT ?AT M>KS ONE AS ( ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE 7& SEP>ATE FROM ! GRAY7 IS ! PROCESS ( TAK+ A NAME4 ,UNLIKE ! WORLD ( ! GRAY :]E Y\ >E 9FLICT$ ) LABELS ?AT COME FROM HORRIBLE /ORIES ( SACRIFICE & V5GEANCE1 ! SELF-NAM+ ( ! ,RACCOON PEOPLE IS A TIME = CELEBRATION & GAME4 ,USUALLY NAMES >E TAK5 FROM FAVOR$ ?+S & CAN TELL A %ORT /ORY ( AN ACCOMPLI%M5T OR FRI5D4 

,!RE WAS ONE ,RACCOON P]SON :O WAS SO BROK5 BY ! GRAY ?AT ?IS P]SON REFUS$ TO TAKE ON A NEW NAME4 ,!Y KNEW ?AT ! GRAY W\LD COME ONE DAY & WANT$ TO GU>D AGA9/ ?AT BY BE+ UNTRACEABLE4 ,IF Y\ HAVE NO NAME Y\ HAVE NO %AD[ & 9 A WORLD ?AT REMEMB]S EV]Y?+ ONLY ?OSE :O LIVE 91 AS OPPOS$ TO HAVE1 %AD[ WILL BE FREE4 ,OR SO \R NAMELESS FRI5D BELIEV$4 

,AS IT TURNS \T1 HAV+ NO NAME CAN BE A REAL *ALL5GE4 ,Y\ CANNOT BE REF]R$ TO1 Y\ CANNOT BE CALL$ TO DANCE OR S+1 & :ILE ! GRAY MAY NOT F9D Y\1 NEI!R CAN ANY ( ! ,RACCOONS1 ,BE>S1 OR PEOPLE \TSIDE ( A V]Y SMALL GR\P4 ,?IS MAY BE ! BE/ WAY TO LIVE 9 A WORLD SO V]Y GRAY BUT IT ALSO IS A WAY ?AT HASN'T MU* ROOM = SP>K1 DISSONANCE1 & ! LOV+ *AOS ?AT ! ,RACCOONS >E KN[N =4 

,! NAMELESS ,RACCOON BECAME REF]R$ TO AS JU/ ?AT4 ,A WAVE ( ! H& & EV]YONE KNEW :O Y\ W]E TALK+ AB\T4 ,A NOD1 W9K1 & A 'ONE-:O-MU/-NOT-BE-NAM$' =ETOLD ! NAMELESS ONE'S >RIVAL4 ,A HUG & AN 'UNTIL WE SEE Y\ AGA9' !IR DEP>TURE4 ,9 A WORLD )\T GRAY IT C\LD BE ?AT NONE ( US HAVE NAMES BUT UNTIL !N !RE IS ! ,RACCOON-)-NO-NAME4 

,! /ORY ( ! ,RACCOON :O GOT CAU<T BUT /AY$ FREE 

,!RE IS A /ORY AB\T A ,RACCOON :O HID 9 ! WIDE OP54 ,H[ HE DID IT IS H>D TO BELIEVE3 SO H>D ?AT ! TELL+ %\LD BE FILL$ ) LAU<T] 9/EAD ( :ISP]S4 ,?IS IS A TALE SO H>D TO BELIEVE ?AT IT MU/ BE TOLD TWICE4 ,ONCE :5 Y\ WAKE 9 ! MORN+ & ANO!R :5 Y\ LAY D[N TO RE/ AT NI<T4 ,ONE /ORY IS AB\T ! SUN RIS+1 ANO!R AB\T IT SETT+4 

,:5 ! SUN RISES \R FRI5D ,RACCOON ,=TUNE DID :AT WE ALL WANT TO DO4 ,RACCOON ,=TUNE SET AB\T FREE+ ,RACCOONS & O!RS :O HAD BE5 IMPRISON$ BY ! GRAY4 ,HE DID IT ) MALICE4 ,HE DID IT ) GLEE4 ,BY ! MOON & RIV] HE SCURRI$ AB\T MAK+ SURE ?AT SOME GRAY W]E NO LONG] ABLE TO CONTA9 \R FRI5DS4 ,AS A RESULT ,=TUNE HAD TO HIDE FROM HIS PA/4 ,HE TOOK ON A DISGUISE4 

,UND] ?IS DISGUISE HE ADV]TIS$ HIS *OICES AS A /ORY4 ,HIS /ORY WAS JUDG$ & LAU<$ AT BY ! ,BE>1 ,DE]1 & ,BEAV] PEOPLE BUT ! ,RACCOONS KNEW IT = :AT IT WAS3 !IR /ORY4 ,HE RODE ?IS :IRLW9D UNTIL ONE DAY IT /OPP$ SP9N+ & :AT WAS WAIT+ = HIS FEET TO T\* ! GR\ND8 ,! GRAY4 ,! GRAY TRI$ TO CONSUME ,RACCOON ,=TUNE1 TO %APE HIM 9TO !IR DEVICE1 BUT 9/EAD HE SANG AB\T HIS HAPP9ESS & C\RAGE4 ,HE SANG :AT WE ALL BELIEVE4 

0,I AM NOT SORRY4 ,I W\LD DO IT AGA9 & AGA94 ,Y\ TRY TO /OP ME & Y\ TRY TO /OP A %AD[ BECAUSE WE LIVE 9 ! D>K & RETURN :5 ! COA/ IS CLE>40 

,:5 ! SUN SETS ,RACCOON ,=TUNE MEETS ) ! O!R ,RACCOON PEOPLE & SAYS 0,I C\LD NEV] DO IT ALONE4 ,I COLLECT Y\R /ORIES1 ! /ORIES ( \R FRI5DS1 & ,I %>E !M ) /RANG]S4 ,SOME ( !SE /RANG]S JO9 US1 SOME ( !SE /RANG]S LE>N TO APPRECIATE ! MOONLI<T BUT ! RE/ >E NOT \R 5EMIES4 ,WE MU/ TELL !M ?AT !Y >E BECAUSE !Y >E GRAY OR SLUGGI% OR UNHAPPY BUT EV]Y ONE ( !M C\LD JO9 US1 C\LD BE \R FRI5D4 ,?IS IS \R TIME TO TAKE :AT WE CAN1 LIVE WELL1 & WAIT & SEE :AT HAPP5S40 

,/ORIES ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE 

 ,! SECOND P>T ( A S]IES ( ,AN>*I/ ,MY?S 

,MANIFE/O ( ! SLEEP+ ,BE> 

,A DAY WILL COME :5 ,I CAN /& 

,UPRI<T & ) MY PEOPLE 

,A DAY WILL COME ) NO MORE GRAY 

,! PEOPLE WILL BE FREE 

,UNTIL !N ,I'LL SLEEP 

,UNTIL !N ,I'LL DREAM 

,UNTIL !N ,I'LL REMEMB] 

,POSSIBILITY 

,TODAY ,I HAVE LE>N$ H[ TO WAIT 

& TO KN[ MYSELF 

,TODAY ,I HAVE BEGUN TO FREE 

MYSELF FROM ALL !IR LIES 

,TOMORR[ ,I WILL SLEEP 

,I WILL NOT BE SURPRIS$ 

,TOMORR[ ,I CAN WAKE 

:5 P[] WILL BE GONE 

,9TRODUCTION 

,?IS IS ! SECOND P>T ( AN AN>*I/ MY?OLOGY ?AT />T$ ) ! ,/ORIES ( ! ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE4 ,MY? IS ONE ( ! FEW PLACES :]E WE GET TO DECIDE ! 5D+S ( \R /ORIES 9/EAD ( BE+ DISAPPO9T$ BY ! REALITY ( FRAGILE PEOPLE & DANG]\S TIMES4 ,AS 9 \R AN>*I/ DREAMS ?IS DOESN'T MEAN ?AT ! 5D+S >E ONLY GO+ TO BE FADES-TO-MUSIC & HAPPILY-EV]-AFT]'S BUT ! 5D+S WILL BE ON \R SCALE1 A HUMAN SCALE4 

,! ,/ORIES ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE >E AB\T MANY ( MY FRI5DS4 ,!Y >E /ORIES AB\T AN>*I/S :OSE LIVES HAVE 9T]SECT$ MY [N4 ,!SE /ORIES >E1 BY & L>GE1 NOT M9E4 ,!Y >E /ORIES ,I AM TELL+ AB\T PEOPLE ?AT ,I C>E = & = ! TORTUR$ PA? ?AT LEADS US T[>DS AN>*Y4 ,WE DO NOT HONOR ! PA?1 OR ! PEOPLE1 A FRACTION AS MU* AS WE %\LD4 ,! ,BE> ,PEOPLE MAY NOT WI% IT ANY O!R WAY BUT ,I AM NOT A ,BE>4 

,HONOR+ ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE IS ! WAY ,I CAN COME TO T]MS ) ! VOICES 9SIDE MY HEAD ?AT WANT TO FI<T PYRRHIC BATTLES1 WANT TO %\T D[N ?OSE :O TELL ME :AT TO DO 7ESPECIALLY :5 IT'S = MY [N GOOD7 & WANT TO /OP BE+ POLITE4 ,! ,BE> ,PEOPLE WILL NOT TELL !IR [N /ORY & WILL LIKELY DIS[N ?IS TELL+ BUT ,I %>E !M ) Y\4 ,IT CAN BE EASY TO =GET ?AT ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE >E ) US AGA9/ ! GRAY BUT WE CANNOT AB&ON !M TO !IR [N PECULI>ITIES4 

,TO A TIME :5 ALL ! PEOPLE RECOGNIZE ! VALUE 9 EA* O!R6 

--,>AGORN6 

,BE> ORIG9S 

,LIKE MO/ /ORIES1 ! /ORY ( ! BE> PEOPLE />TS ) A /ORY AB\T PEOPLE--A SPECIAL GR\P ( PEOPLE4 ,DUR+ A TIME ( GREAT TURMOIL :5 MANY BELIEV$ 7:5 IT WAS POSSIBLE TO BELIEVE7 ?AT ! GRAY C\LD BE F\<T BACK & ?AT ! WORLD C\LD BE FREE ( !M4 ,DUR+ ?IS GREAT TIME !RE WAS A GR\P ?AT WAS V]Y CLE>4 ,!Y W]E CLE> AB\T ! ORGANIZATION ( ! GRAY4 ,!Y W]E AW>E ?AT PEOPLE HAD CONFUS$ !MSELVES & !IR DESIRES ) ?OSE ( ! GRAY4 ,9 A TIME ( SU* CONFUSION ! LIKELIHOOD ( A NEW WORLD WAS SLIM 9DE$1 OR SO !Y SAID4 

,!Y W]E RI<T1 ( C\RSE4 ,! PEOPLE W]E HYPNOTIZ$ BY ! GRAY4 ,PEOPLE SEEM$ TO PREF] ! TRAPP+S ( DREAMS RA!R ?AN ! DREAMS !MSELVES4 ,DEAD-TIME-BOXES1 FIREWAT]1 & A ?IRD ( ONE'S LIFE TAK5 AWAY FROM ONE'S FRI5DS & LOVES 9 ! S]VICE ( ! GRAY4 

,:5 ?IS TIME ( TURMOIL 5D$ & ! ,GREAT ,HYPNOTISM BEGAN1 ?IS GR\P ( CLE> PEOPLE EXPLOD$4 ,MO/LY ?IS HAPP5$ = ! SAME OLD REASONS ?AT EV]Y GR\P 5DS1 PETTY JEAL\SY & P]SONAL FAIL+S1 BUT :5 SOME?+ AS CLE>1 AS CRY/ALL9E1 AS ?IS GR\P EXPLODES1 IT S5DS \T %>DS ) GREAT VELOCITY ,!SE %>DS >E :AT CREAT$ ! BE> PEOPLE4 

,ON OCCASION1 IF Y\ CAT* A BE> 9 ! RI<T MOOD1 !Y WILL TELL Y\ AB\T ! TIME :5 !Y F\ND A %>D1 MET SOMEONE :O HELD ONTO ONE1 OR H[ !Y HOPE TO FUZE %>DS BACK TOGE!R TO CREATE SOME?+ NEW ?AT IS TOTALLY CLE>4 ,IF Y\ CAT* ONE 9 ! RI<T LI<T1 Y\ ADMIT HE> AN ADMISSION ?AT ,BE>S >E TRUE ,ROMANTICS1 9 LOVE ) SOME?+ ?AT IS 9 ! PA/1 9 !IR IMAG9ATION1 ?AT C\LD POSSIBLY1 JU/ MAYBE1 BE RE-CREAT$4 

,BUT ! GRAY COV]S ?AT L& & ! ,GREAT ,HYPNOTISM FILLS ! M9DS ( MO/ EV]YONE4 ,BE>S TRY1 9 !IR WAY1 TO PI]CE ?IS4 ,!Y %\T & IMPLORE US TO SEE ! ILLUSION = :AT IT IS--?IS IS !IR GREAT *>M4 

0,IF ONLY !Y C\LD SEE :AT ,I SEE0 IS ! LAM5T ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE BUT DOESN'T 9SPIRE ! PEOPLE TO ACTION BUT TO LEAV+ ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE ALONE4 ,= ! ,BE>S ?IS BECOMES ! PRECURSOR TO HIB]NATION1 TO ESCAP+ ! WORLD ( WELL-9T5TION$ 9COMPET5TS4 

,& ! REMNANTS ( ! PEOPLE :O W]E CLE>8 ,SOME ( !M >E /ILL GRUBB+ >\ND4 ,!Y HAVE A HAUNT$ LOOK 9 !IR EYES AS IF !Y HAVE SE5 SOME?+ SO BEAUTIFUL ?AT FOCUS+ ON ?IS WORLD TAKES TOO MU* EF=T4 ,!Y T5D TO LIVE 9 EI!R ! DI/ANT PA/ OR 9 ! PA/ ( !IR MEMORIES4 ,!SE ANCI5TS /ILL HAVE ?+S TO %>E BUT HAVE L>GELY LO/ ! VOCABUL>Y TO TALK TO ?OSE :O HAVE COME S9CE ! ,GREAT ,HYPNOTISM4 ,!IR TIME IS PASS+ &1 9CREAS+LY1 !Y >E FALL+ SIL5T & PASS+ BEYOND4 

,EV]Y ,BE> P]SON WAS ONCE A ,CUB 

,FEW ,BE> ,CUBS SURVIVE TO JO9 ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE4 ,BE>S >E SU* SOLIT>Y CREATURES ?AT :5 ONE ( ! PEOPLE MAKES AN EF=T TO BECOME A ,BE> ,P]SON !Y GET NO GUIDANCE4 ,!RE IS NO?+ TO JO94 ,!RE >E NO RULES4 ,NO ,BE> PREV5TS !M FROM MAK+ MI/AKES OR WA/+ !IR TIME 9 UNFRUITFUL DIRECTIONS4 ,CUBS MU/ F9D !IR [N WAY4 

,IT'S JU/ AS WELL1 AS ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE >E NOT = EV]YONE4 ,!Y MAY BE ADMIRABLE BECAUSE ( !IR F]OCITY & DISCIPL9E BUT ! SOLIT>Y LIFE IS SELF-SELECT+4 ,! PEOPLE T5D TO BE SOCIAL & TO DESIRE %>$ GOALS4 ,! ,BE> ,PEOPLE (T5 HAVE ONLY ONE OR TWO PEOPLE ) :OM !Y SP5D ANY TIME ) AT ALL4 

,CUBS >E BRILLIANT TO BEHOLD4 ,(T5 TIMES !Y HAVE NO?+ TO LE>N FROM !IR ELD]S & PRES5T NO?+ BUT FANG :5 *ALL5G$4 ,O!R TIMES !Y >E F9E ,BE>-LIKE SPECIM5S PROP]LY \TFITT$ 9 ,BE> ,SUITS MU* TOO L>GE = !M BUT WORN ) SU* DIGNITY & RESPECT ?AT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO D5Y !M !IR GOALS4 

,BE> ,CUBS BECOME ,BE> ,PEOPLE :5 !Y REALIZE ?AT ! GREAT IDEAS ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE >E IMPOSSIBLE4 ,:5 !Y SEE ?AT ! PROJECT ( DEFEAT+ ! GRAY WILL DE/ROY !M1 WILL LOSE !M F> MORE ?AN IT GIVES1 & ISN'T %>$ BY ANY ( !IR FRI5DS4 ,:5 ?IS IMPOSSIBILITY IS SUFF]$ = & /ILL EMBRAC$ IS :5 A ,BE> ,CUB BECOMES ONE ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE1 BUT !Y MU/ NEV] SPEAK ( IT4 ,LOSS IS :]E ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE BEG9 & IT REMA9S ! EMPTY SPACE AT !IR CORE4 

,! /ORY ( A MISCA/ SPELL 

,9 ! LORE ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE !RE IS ! IDEA ( A MAGICAL MOM5T4 ,?IS MOM5T IS A SWIT* :]E FR[NS WILL TURN TO SMILES1 HONEY WILL FL[1 & ! MI<T ( ! GRAY WILL FADE AWAY COMPLETELY4 ,?IS SWIT* HAS HAPP5$ BE=E BUT ONLY = A BL9K ( AN EYE4 ,& S9CE MO/ PEOPLE W]E ASLEEP !Y DIDN'T NOTICE4 ,IT WAS ONLY = A MOM5T1 & !N IT WAS GONE4 

,N[ ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE TRY TO *ANT & /OMP & F9D +R$I5TS = ANO!R MAGIC TIME4 ,!Y F9D ONE 9 A CONV]SATION ) A /RANG]1 ANO!R 9 A CLEV] DRAW+1 & YET ANO!R 9 A MEET+ :]E SONGS >E SUNG AB\T MAGIC4 ,!SE >E ! ONLY SONGS ?AT ,BE>S WILL S+4 ,SONGS TO MAKE MAGIC TIME6 

,REC5TLY A GR\P ( ,BE> ,PEOPLE PUT ASIDE !IR AMBIVAL5CE T[>DS EA* O!R1 & SAT D[N ) O!R PEOPLE TO DISCUSS A TRADITIONAL 9CANTATION ( ! MAGICAL MOM5T4 ,?IS 9VOLV$ A GREAT DEAL ( TIM+1 BR++ TOGE!R HUNDR$S ( PEOPLE & %AK+ ! GRAY \T ( ?\S&S MORE4 ,MO/ MAGIC1 LIKE LOVE @& TURMOIL1 9VOLVES DISPELL+ ! HYPNOTISM ( ! GRAY = A BRIEF P]IOD ( TIME4 ,?IS ISN'T AS DIFFICULT TO A*IEVE AS Y\ MI<T SUSPECT4 ,MANY :O LIVE DEEP )9 ! GRAY NOTICE MOM5TS ( BRI<TNESS1 BUT ! MOM5TS >E FLEET+ & UNPR$ICTABLE4 ,TO DISPEL ! GRAY AT A SPECIFIC TIME IS A F> MORE DIFFICULT TASK4 

,AS IS ! WONT ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE1 !Y C\LDN'T AGREE ) ,BEAV]S OR ) EA* O!R AB\T H[ TO PROCE$4 ,!Y W5T 9 DIFF]5T DIRECTIONS & YELL$ AT EA* O!R AB\T TIM+ & ME?OD4 ,= MANY ( ! PEOPLE ?IS YELL+ SEEM$ F> MORE FRANTIC ?AN ! 5]GY PUT 9TO ! MOM5T ITSELF4 ,& :5 ! MOM5T PASS$ ) SOME ?UND] BUT LITTLE LI<TN+ ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE PO9T$ AT EA* O!R & ! PEOPLE BECAME W>Y ( DO+ MAGIC ) ,BE>S4 

,Y\ >E WA/+ Y\R TIME6 

,WITTY ,BE> WAS A ,BE>'S ,BE>4 ,= A PEOPLE NOTORI\SLY SOLIT>Y & SELF COMPOS$1 ,WITTY WAS FAM\SLY ALONE4 ,HE WAS A TRUE BELIEV] 9 ! MESSAGE ?AT ! PEOPLE W]E BUT A :ISP] AWAY FROM A %\T ?AT W\LD KNOCK ASIDE ! GRAY4 ,AS MANY PEOPLE WANT$ TO JO9 ?IS *ORUS & ,WITTY HAD POETIC & EXCIT+ TALES ( :AT WAS POSSIBLE1 MANY PEOPLE LI/5$ TO HIM RESPECTFULLY4 ,BUT ,WITTY DID NOT CONSID] HIMSELF ONE ( ! PEOPLE4 ,9/EAD HE BELIEV$ ?AT ! PEOPLE W]E \T !RE4 ,! PEOPLE W]E AMONG ! GRAY & DID NOT EXI/ UNTIL !Y SCREAM$ \T AGA9/ !MSELVES--& ANY RELATION%IP BE=E ?IS TIME WAS A LIE4 

,AGA9 & AGA9 HE W\LD %[ HIS FANGS & DECL>E 0! PEOPLE >E IRRELEVANT TO ! REAL PEOPLE40 ,9 HIS [N M9D HE SAW !SE CONDEMNATIONS AS RES\ND+LY CLE>4 ,SO CLE> ?AT ?OSE LI/5+ W\LD /OP :AT !Y W]E DO+1 :AT !Y *OSE TO DO1 & />T %\T+ ) HIM4 ,9/EAD ! PEOPLE JU/ SAW HIM AS ANO!R ,BE> ,P]SON TELL+ !M :AT TO DO4 

,! ,BE> ,PEOPLE HAVE ?IS PROBLEM 9 G5]AL4 ,!Y BELIEVE ?AT !Y KN[ :AT IS RI<T & H[ TO DEFEAT ! GRAY4 ,!Y BELIEVE ) SU* CONVICTION ?AT !Y 5D UP TELL+ EV]YONE ELSE 7ESPECIALLY O!R ,BE>S7 ?AT !Y >E WRONG1 /UPID1 & P>T ( ! GRAY4 ,!RE >E TWO RESULTS TO ?IS4 ,ONE IS ?AT ,BE>S >E SOLIT>Y4 ,TWO IS ?AT MANY ( ! PEOPLE :O LI/51 & TRY TO EMULATE ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE1 >E *AS$ 9 TO ! GRAY1 BECAUSE ,BE>S LEAD !M TO BELIEVE ?AT !RE >E ONLY ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE & ! GRAY4 ,AS V]Y FEW PEOPLE >E ACTUALLY 9T]E/$ 9 BE+ ALONE1 !Y ALL[ ! GRAY TO SWALL[ !M 9/EAD ( F9D+ O!RS4 

,= ,WITTY ,BE> ?IS WAS A V9DICATION4 ,S9CE ! ONLY PEOPLE :O /OP ! ,GREAT ,HYPNOTISM W]E 9 ! GRAY ! MORE PEOPLE ?AT HE *AS$ BACK TO ! GRAY1 ! BETT] \R *ANCES W]E ( /OPP+ ! HYPNOTISM4 ,= ,WITTY ! FI<T AGA9/ ! GRAY BEGAN BY BECOM+ P>T ( ! GRAY4 

,! ,BE> :O />$ 9TO ! GRAY 

,TORM5T$ AS A *ILD1 ,IRASCIBLE ,BE> WAS SC>R$ BY ! TIME HE REALIZ$ HE WAS ONE ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE4 ,HIS SC>S DIDN'T TEMP] HIS DESIRE = ANO!R WAY TO BE1 = A FUTURE :]E O!R *ILDR5 W\LD NOT BE BEAT5 & H>ASS$ BY FAMILY & FRI5DS1 BUR !Y 9T]F]$ ) HIS ABILITY TO F9D A PLACE LIKE ?IS 9 HIS [N LIFE4 ,9/EAD ,IRASCIBLE ,BE>'S LIFE WAS A CON/ANT BATTLE4 ,HE BATTL$ ) FRI5DS4 ,HE BATTL$ ) LOV]S4 ,HE BATTL$ ) ANYONE :O DISAGRE$ ) HIM & ONLY TOOK ! BATTLES S]I\SLY :5 !Y W]E TAK5 S]I\SLY BY ?OSE HE BATTL$ )4 ,HE PLAY$ R\< BECAUSE ! SC>S MADE IT H>D = HIM TO FEEL4 

,! NUMBNESS RE9=C$ HIS 9CL9ATION T[>DS SOLITUDE4 

,ONE DAY ,IRASCIBLE ,BE> WAS PLAY+ ) A NEW FRI5D4 ,HIS FRI5D & HE DISAGRE$ AB\T MANY ?+S 7JU/ AB\T EV]Y?+1 9 FACT7 & IT WAS TURN+ 9TO A F9E BEG9N+4 ,BUT HIS NEW FRI5D DIDN'T PLAY ! SAME WAY & *AS$ ,IRASCIBLE ,BE> AWAY ) FANG & CLAW4 ,?IS NEW FRI5D EV5 CALL$ D[N ! GRAY ONTO ,IRASCIBLE ,BE> :O SCURRI$ AWAY & SP5T AN EV5+ HID+ 9 A P>K4 

,?IS W\LD NOT DO6 0,:AT IS DONE TO ME ,I WILL DO A ?\S& TIMES BACK0 SAYS ,IRASCIBLE ,BE> & ) BROK5 CLAW & *IPP$ TOO? HE SAW ?AT HIS ONLY1 LONELY1 REC\RSE WAS TO SUMMON ! GRAY4 ,NATURALLY ! GRAY DID NOT FOLL[ ,IRASCIBLE ,BE>'S DESIRES4 ,IRASCIBLE ,BE> />$ 9TO ! GRAY AGA9/ ONE ( ! PEOPLE & CONT9UES TO BE T\*$ BY ?IS4 

,! ,BE> V]SUS ! MOB 

,9 ! NOT SO DI/ANT PA/ !RE WAS A DAY ?AT WILL LIVE ON 9 MEMORY & SONG4 ,IT IS /ILL TALK$ AB\T TODAY AS IF IT HAPP5$ ONLY YE/]DAY4 ,DUR+ ?IS AMAZ+ DAY ! AIR WAS V]Y CRISP1 A :ISP] ( ! FIR/ W9T] BREEZE4 

,! DAY IS REMEMB]$ BECAUSE ( A TRAG$Y1 ?IS TRAG$Y WAS A TRAG$Y = ! GRAY & HAS S9CE BE5 9FLICT$ UPON ! PEOPLE AS ! JU/IFICATION TO 5D ALL JU/IFICATIONS4 ,BUT ON ! DAY ITSELF IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DI/+UI% BETWE5 SOME?+ ?AT %\LD T]RIFY ! GRAY & SOME?+ ?AT %\LD SC>E PEOPLE TOO4 ,! PEOPLE DIDN'T HELP MATT]S MU*4 ,ALWAYS W>Y ( ! GRAY !Y S5T UP A GREAT AL>M1 ?AT WE W]E NEXT1 ?AT ! 5D WAS NI<1 & ?AT MU* MORE WAS COM+ = US & = O!RS4 ,A GA!R+ WAS CALL$ ( ALL ! PEOPLE 9 ! >EA4 ,ON ! AG5DA WAS ! HOPE ?AT WE C\LD TURN ?IS DAY 9TO A *ANCE TO WORK TOGE!R ON A COMMON PROJECT1 TO USE ?IS OPPORTUNITY = \RSELVES1 RA!R ?AN TO JU/ RUN & HIDE4 

,! GA!R+ WORK$ \T AS MANY DO4 ,! PEOPLE W]E 9 FULL REGALIA1 ,RACCOON1 ,BE>1 ,BEAV]1 & ,SALMON ,PEOPLE4 ,PEOPLE W]E !RE :O Y\ ALMO/ NEV] SEE EXCEPT = DUR+ SPECIAL OCCASIONS1 LIKE :5 GRAY ATTACKS4 ,:ILE !RE WAS A HAPPY ATMOSPH]E BECAUSE ( SEE+ EA* O!R1 IT WAS TEMP]$ ) ! FE> ( ! GRAY4 

,! PEOPLE >E G5]ALLY ( TWO M9DS REG>D+ ! GRAY4 ,!Y EI!R BELIEVE ?AT ! GRAY IS WAT*+ !IR EV]Y MOVE & !RE=E !Y MU/ TAKE EV]Y PRECAUTION TO SEEM 9NOCU\S1 OR !Y BELIEVE ?AT ! GRAY1 \T ( AMBIVAL5CE1 IGNORES ! PEOPLE 5TIRELY4 ,EI!R WAY1 ! PEOPLE T5D TO BO? OV]- & UND]-E/IMATE ! GRAY4 ,! PEOPLE T5D TO RESPOND TO ! GRAY RA!R ?AN PUT ! GRAY 9TO ! SITUATION ( HAV+ TO RESPOND TO !M4 

0,:AT %\LD WE DO80 ASK$ ! ,BEAV] P]SON :O SAT 9 ! C5T] ( ! ROOM4 ,SIMPLE QUE/IONS (T5 HAVE UN=ESE5 CONSEQU5CES & ?IS ONE WAS NO DIFF]5T1 JU/ AS ! PEOPLE W]E ( TWO M9DS REG>D+ ! GRAY1 !Y W]E ( SEV]AL M9DS REG>D+ ! ROLE ( ! PEOPLE 9 DEFEAT+ ! GRAY4 ,! QUE/ION WAS NEV] :E!R OR NOT ! GRAY %\LD 5D BUT H[4 

,SIMPLE QUE/IONS (T5 HIDE NOT-SO-SIMPLE ?+S4 ,& TALK+ AB\T NOT-SO-SIMPLE ?+S ISN'T EASY & IS USUALLY AVOID$1 EV5 BY ! PEOPLE4 ,?IS IS :]E ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE COME 94 ,9 TIMES ( DIFFICULTY !Y CAN BE RELI$ ON TO MAKE ONE ?+ V]Y CLE>4 ,IT MAY NOT BE ! ?+ ?AT !Y 9T5D1 9 FACT (T5 ! ,BE>-P]SON-:O-SPEAKS-TRU? IS BLAM$ = IT RA!R ?AN CELEBRAT$1 BUT 9 TIMES ( DIFFICULTY ,BE> ,PEOPLE RO> & EV]YONE LI/5S4 ,DUR+ ?IS MEET+ ! ,BEAV] ,PEOPLE W]E CONFUS$ AB\T :AT TO DO BUT KNEW ?AT SOME?+ HAD TO BE DONE2 SOME?+ HAD TO BE BUILT1 TO BLOCK ! TORR5T ( ! GRAY1 BUT !Y W]E WRONG4 ,! GRAY BO? C\LDN'T BE /OPP$1 IT WAS ONLY CAPABLE ( RUNN+ ITSELF D[N4 

,:5 \R FRI5D ! ,BE> ,P]SON RO>$ ?AT DAY NO ONE WANT$ TO HE> IT4 ,!Y *AS$ ! ,BE> \T ( ! ROOM4 ,!Y PROCE$$ TO HOLL] ?AT ! ,BE> %\LD BE IGNOR$1 ?AT !IR CONFUSION WAS ACTUALLY F> MORE COH]5T ?AN ! ,BE>'S PROTE/ATION4 ,BUT !Y DIDN'T 5D UP BUILD+ ANY?+ NEW4 ,!Y DIDN'T /& 9 FRONT ( ! GRAY AS IT ROLL$ OV] ANY?+ 9 ITS PA? & EV5TUALLY ! GRAY SL[$ D[N & F\ND SOME?+ ELSE TO DO4 

,! ,BE> :O W\LDN'T DO ! DI%ES 

,! PEOPLE HAVE F\ND WAYS TO LIVE ?AT >E DIFF]5T FROM ! GRAY4 ,9/EAD ( LIV+ 9 POISON$ FAMILY UNITS1 ! PEOPLE T5D TO LIVE 9 GR\PS4 ,?IS ALL[S !M ! SPACE TO DISCOV] ! PLEASURE ( EA* O!R'S COMPANY ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS & TO MAKE A LITTLE SPACE \TSIDE ! GRAY4 ,ONE ( ! CONSEQU5CES ( LIV+ ?IS WAY IS A C]TA9 K9D ( =MALITY4 ,9/EAD ( TELL+ ONE ANO!R TO CLEAN UP AFT] !MSELVES OR ?AT REPAIRS NE$ DO+1 AN EV5T W\LD BE CALL$ =4 ,?IS EV5T C\LD BE COMPRIS$ ( MANY ?+S1 LIKE DISCUSSIONS AB\T FEEL+S1 AB\T ?+S BETT] SAID TO EA* O!R 7BUT 9/EAD SAID AB\T EMPTY IDEAS72 AB\T ?+S ! PEOPLE NE$ TO DO4 ,!SE =MAL DISCUSSIONS W\LD (T5 BE REMEMB]$ ON SPECIAL PIECES ( PAP] US$ = NO?+ ELSE4 ,?IS =MALITY HIDES ! WAYS ?AT EV5 ! PEOPLE HAVE A H>D TIME ) ! ,GREAT ,HYPNOSIS4 ,MO/ EV]YONE :O JO9S ! PEOPLE BR+S ! GRAY ) !M4 

,TIRELESS ,BE> HAT$ =MALITY4 0,I WILL NEV] WE> FANCY CLO!S & ,I WILL NEV] DO SOME?+ WRITT5 ON SPECIAL PAP]0 ,EV]Y TIME ANO!R =MAL OCCASION WAS CALL$ ,TIRELESS W\LD MAKE SURE TO TRAVEL4 ,EV]Y TIME ! PEOPLE W\LD REM9D ,TIRELESS AB\T ! SPECIAL PAP] ,TIRELESS W\LD MAKE A JOKE AB\T FRE$OM4 0,= ! PEOPLE TO BE FREE WE MU/ BURN ! PAP]4 ,WE MU/ TALK1 YELL1 & SCREAM60 

,! PEOPLE GREW TIR$ ( ,TIRELESS' PROCLAMATIONS & DUR+ !IR NEXT =MAL OCCASION US$ A NEW SPECIAL PAP] TO MAKE A LI/ ?AT EV]YONE W\LD SIGN4 ,:5 ,TIRELESS ,BE> RETURN$ & WAS TOLD TO SIGN ! PAP] HE PLEAD$ ) ! PEOPLE TO UND]/& ?AT ?IS WAS AGA9/ EV]Y?+ !Y CLAIM$ TO WANT4 ,HE GNA%$ HIS TEE? & YELL$1 /OMP$ & P\ND$1 BUT NONE ( ! PEOPLE W\LD LI/54 

,! NEXT DAY ,TIRELESS ,BE> LEFT NEV] TO RETURN4 

,! ,BE> :O W\LD BE A ,RACCOON 

,DELIB]ATE ,BE> WAS WELL KN[N >\ND !SE P>TS4 ,:5 %E W\LD COME >\ND1 IT WAS ALWAYS A TREAT4 ,! PEOPLE W\LD COME TOGE!R = A GREAT MEAL & HE> /ORIES AB\T :]E ,DELIB]ATE HAD BE5 & :]E %E WAS GO+4 ,AFT] ! MEAL EV]YONE WAS HAPPY TO CLEAN UP AFT] ,DELIB]ATE1 %E W]E A GUE/ & %E (F]$ F> MORE ?AN %E TOOK ) ! /ORIES %E TOLD4 ,BUT AFT] ! ?IRD MEAL ! PEOPLE W\LD WAIT = ,DELIB]ATE TO CLEAN UP H] FAIR %>E & USUALLY %E DID4 ,OR AT LEA/ %E TRI$4 

,IT WAS NOT ?AT ,DELIB]ATE WAS A MALICI\S ,BE> ,P]SON OR EV5 UNUSUALLY 9COMPET5T4 ,DELIB]ATE WAS A ,BE> :O WANT$ TO BE A ,RACCOON4 ,IT WAS A FUNNY ?+ TO WAT* BECAUSE :5 ! PEOPLE W\LD MAKE PLANS = A TASK OR A MEAL ,DELIB]ATE W\LD NEV] BE >\ND4 ,%E W\LD BE ABSORB$ 9 ,BE> ,PEOPLE ?+S1 MAK+ PLANS ( H] [N4 ,:5 ASK$ TO P>TICIPATE OR TO CONTRIBUTE1 AS (T5 AS NOT ,DELIB]ATE W\LD SAY 0,?AT IS NOT A ,BE> ?+ TO DO60 & USUALLY %E WAS RI<T4 ,:5 ! ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE W\LD MAKE A SCORE ,DELIB]ATE WAS SURE TO BE !RE DUR+ ! %>+4 ,:5 ! ,RACCOONS W\LD S+ ,DELIB]ATE WAS SURE TO LI/5 94 ,BUT ,DELIB]ATE W\LD NOT %>E UND] CONDITIONS O!R ?AN H] [N BECAUSE ?AT W\LD NOT BE ! ,BE> ,P]SON ?+ TO DO4 

,BE>S ?AT W\LD RA!R HAVE FRI5DS ?AN BE RI<T 

,! ?\<T ?AT KEEPS ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE AWAKE AT NI<T IS ?AT ALL !IR EF=TS >E = NAU<T4 ,?AT ! GRAY WILL KEEP ON BE+ GRAY4 ,?AT ! PEOPLE WILL NOT MAKE TRUE ON ANY ( !IR PROMISES4 ,?AT ! KN[L$GE ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE HAVE COLLECT$ & /OR$ AWAY WILL NEV] US$ BY ANYONE4 ,?AT :5 !Y >E GONE !Y WILL NOT BE REMEMB]$4 

,! ,BE> ,PEOPLE DIVIDE ON ! QUE/ION ( !IR [N PROJECT4 ,! ,SLEEP+ ,BE>S BELIEVE ?AT !IR EF=TS /& ON !IR [N4 ,! CONSCI5CE ( ! ,SLEEP+ ,BE>S IS CLE>4 ,:5 !Y SLEEP IT IS A DREAMLESS SLEEP4 

,!RE >E ALSO ,PR[L+ ,BE>S1 :O >E RE/LESS4 ,S9CE !Y DO NOT HAVE 5\< NUMB]S1 & >E NOT /RONG 5\< TO %AKE ! WORLD1 !Y SP5D TIME ) ! RE/ ( ! PEOPLE4 ,?IS CAN BE FRU/RAT+ AS ! PEOPLE T5D T[>DS PLAY & DO NOT MA9TA9 GOOD FOCUS ON ! PROJECTS ( ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE--BUT !Y >E ! ONLY ONES :O SEEM 9T]E/$ AT ALL4 

,! WORLD TURNS & ! ,BE>S :O W\LD FI<T ! GRAY MU/ SIT D[N ) ! RE/ ( ! PEOPLE4 ,!Y MU/ P>TY ) ! ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE4 ,!Y MU/ WORK ) ! ,BEAV] ,PEOPLE4 ,!Y MU/ DREAM ) ! ,SALMON ,PEOPLE4 ,IT IS AN UNUSUAL ,BE> :O CAN /& SU* A FATE1 PATI5TLY WAIT+ = ! TIME :5 ! FI<T COMM5CES & GRITT+ !IR TEE? UNTIL !N4 

,! ,BE>S /& ALONE 

,ON ! L& ( ! D>K HILL LIVES ONE ( ! FEW GR\PS ( ,BE> ,PEOPLE4 ,!Y ONLY SEE EA* O!R = MEALS & O!RWISE WORK ON !IR SEP>ATE TASKS1 !IR SEP>ATE LIVES4 ,BUT !Y %>E ! SAME PLAN4 ,!Y DESPISE ! GRAY & ACKN[L$GE ?AT EA* ONE HELPS 9 HIS OR H] [N EF=TS & ?AT !Y HELP EA* O!R 9 RETURN4 

,AN UNUSUAL GR\P1 !SE ,BE>S4 

,! L& ( ! D>K HILL IS :AT HAS =G$ !M4 ,AS ) ANY IMPORTANT PLACE1 :5 ! ,BE> ,PEOPLE CAME UPON IT !Y HAD ONE IDEA AB\T H[ LIFE !RE WAS GO+ TO BE4 ,! L& HAD ANO!R IDEA 5TIRELY4 ,! L& WAS P]SUASIVE4 

,! ,BE> ,PEOPLE >E NOT A LAZY PEOPLE1 QUITE ! OPPOSITE1 BUT ,BE>S :O LIVE 9 ! GRAY-WE$-=E/ F9D IT H>D TO EX]T !MSELVES )\T HELP+ ! GRAY1 SO !Y (T5 DO V]Y LITTLE4 ,9 ! L& ( ! D>K HILL IT IS QUITE A BIT H>D] TO HELP ! GRAY1 OR TO EV5 F9D IT1 & %ADE HAS ITS [N DEM&S4 

,(F ( ! D>K HILL COME GREAT ?+S AS A RESULT ( !SE ,BE> ,PEOPLE4 ,FLAVORFUL FOOD1 SKILLFULLY GR[N & PREP>$4 ,RAUC\S COMPANY4 ,%ELT]S ?AT SMELL ( ! L& & ITS DEM&S4 ,! D>K HILL PRES5TS A H>D QUE/ION TO ALL ! O!R ,BE> ,PEOPLE4 ,IF Y\ W\LD TRULY /& ALONE Y\ BO? HAVE TO DO IT ) O!RS & Y\ HAVE TO LEAVE ! GRAY BEH9D4 

,5DNOTES 

,?ANKS TO ,>TNOOSE = ! >TI/IC HELP4 

,?ANKS TO ,LEONA & ,>IEL4 ,)\T Y\R HELP ,I W\LDN'T BE CAPABLE ( DO+ A FRACTION ( :AT ,I AM DO+4 

,?ANKS ALSO TO ! ,RACCOON1 ,BE>1 ,SALMON1 & ,BEAV] PEOPLE ,I KN[ & :O HELP$1 9 !IR WAYS1 TO 9SPIRE & 9FURIATE ME4 

,Y\ >E /ILL MY PEOPLE4 

,>,A,G,O,R,N6 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JULY #a#b1 #bb 3 ,/ORIES ( ! ,BE> & ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #d1 #bbb 3 ,/ORIES ( ! ,BE> & ,RACCOON ,PEOPLE -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/