Pnevy ded

In the dark ancient forest, the old ones worshiped the spirits of the trees, the Derevyannik. Living in the trees, they were connected through the roots and could communicate when needed.

Sometimes, a tree is knocked down by a storm or damaged by a burrowing insect, which causes it to weaken and fall. Some stumps do not die. Instead, they transform into Pnevy ded (old man stump), the entity of a tree stump.

Pnevy ded was long-lived, becoming a forest elder and settling many animal disputes.

“I saw you steal my mushrooms. You no good sidewinder,” accused Sandy before Grandfather Stump.

“I did not take your mushrooms for the last time,” said Selva, feeling overwhelmed by the attack.

“Now, stop this nonsense, and let’s get to the bottom of this problem,” Grandfather Stump said.

Sandy explained that she had collected a pile of succulent puffballs for her dinner, placed them next to the path, and then went off to get her basket to carry them home. Selva was slithering down the path when she returned, and the mushrooms disappeared.

“I told you I was heading over to the pond, and I never saw any puffballs along the path,” said Selva.

“I know it was you. I saw silver dust where they sat, and look on your tail —silver dust, so you must have stolen them,” Sandy argued.

“What sort of mushroom did you say you were collecting,” asked Grandfather Stump.

“Puffballs, why do you ask,” questioned Sandy.

“Puffballs, of course. You collected them right before they exploded, and when Selva slithered past her tail, it caused them to rupture. You should be thanking her. If those mushrooms had gone off near you, you would be scrubbing your fur until next Tuesday to get the stink out,” said Grandfather Stump with a great laugh.

“Oh, I see,” said Sandy, looking rather meek about her prior outburst.

“That’s OK; it’s an honest mistake. Let’s say you and I go see if we can find some delicious mushrooms near my log pile,” offered Selva.

Grandfather Stump smiled and said, “All’s well that ends well. You two get out of here and let me catch my beauty sleep.”

“We’ll see you next year ’cause you’re going to need a lot,” giggled Sandy, and the two hurried off searching for tasty treats.

“Impertinent pup,” replied the Pnevy ded with a wry smile.