Once upon a time there lived an old man in the forest. His name was Fleep and everyone respected his wisdom. He had lived a very long time, you see, and even the animals granted him respect. He lived in a cabin that he had built himself while he was a young explorer, and this cabin rested deep in the woods far away from the cities of the land.

One day while out picking Steelin’ Mushrooms, old Fleep encountered a young man, a wayfarer, a traveler, a wanderer IF YOU WILL. He was dressed in a flashing red robe that sparkled in the sunlight.

“Excuse me young fella,” called Fleep. “Are you lost, young fella?”

“Why no, good sir,” answered the man in the robe. “I am just admiring these lovely trees.” For indeed the man was gazing fondly at a pair of large pike trees that rose toward the heavens. Their tops were lost in the sky above.

“And how do you find this forest, young fella?” inquired Fleep, stroking his long white beard and leaning really hard on his cane.

“Why my good OLD MAN I daresay I find your question perfectly ambiguous,” answered the young explorer cheerfully. He propped his walkin’ stick up and leaned on it in turn. “Do you mean to ask me how DID I locate this here forest? Or instead might you be inquirin’ as to my opinion of this here forest I find myself in?’

“A game of wits then!!!” cried old Fleep, hoppin’ about. “A worthy opponent stands before me!!”

“Not quite,” replied the young wanderer. “I just need clarif—“

“THE FIRST RIDDLE!” hollered old Fleep with the energy of a younger Fleep. “When the rabbit thumps its foot upon the door of the castle, what do the deer whisper in the dark?” He peered at the young man with anticipation.

“I don’t… this isn’t…” stammered the young wanderer, totally lost and unable to keep up with the rapidly changing situation. A great knot of anxiety had tied itself into his stomach.

“HESITATE NOT, LAD!!” yelled old Fleep, spittle flaying his beard. “THINK NOW!” And he repeated the riddle.

“This does sound amusing,” answered the young fella in a diplomatic fashion, “but I’m afraid good sir I haven’t a breakfast proper, and my faculties are all a-scramble.” Presently the young man grew acutely nervous and sought to end this exchange with the old woodsman quickly.

Old Man Fleep stared at the young lad without blinking. His eyes had turned to flint. “When the rabbit thumps its foot,” he said slowly, “upon the door of the castle… what do the deer… whisper… in… the dark.” It did not come out like a riddle this time, and it did not even sound like a question.

“Uhhhh… okay…” said the young wayfarer, perceiving something was off and deciding he needed to beat it right on outta here. “Let’s see.”

“HESITATE NOT, LAD!!!” Old Fleep screamed. The lad jumped at the force of the scream.

The young lad shrugged his shoulders a bit so his walkin’ pack was secured behind his back. He gripped his stick tightly and gathered his red robe. Then he whipped around and fled the old man as though his life depended on it, which it might’ve, he wasn’t sure and he didn’t care. Get on outta there!

The young man was a hale fella in the prime of his life and had the energy of a rabbit in spring. He sprinted through shrubs and bushes and leapt over fallen logs, glancing behind him periodically to make sure nothin’ was about to kill him.