Anton's Tixie Root Pie

Anton Sycamore hung his wet apron over a tree root.

“There," he said into the air, “That will dry out by dinner time.”

He smiled and rubbed his arms after his morning of baking. Soon, an air of magic filled the pine scented forest. Creatures poked their noses out of their dens, or peered out from behind tree trunks.

Anton pretended like he didn’t see them, but he was secretly glowing with pride. He needed a big crowd!

Zingdoo called out, “Anton, what is that delicious smell?”

“Ahhh, you’ve noticed! Come around friends, let me make an announcement...”

As the Fligerts,  Zerdons, Pungters, and Chundos started to gather, Anton raised his voice.

“Welcome friends,” he said. “I’d like to present my newest dish; it’s called, Feast for the Forest! It has a special ingredient;  as soon as any of you takes a bite, the pie will grow bigger, feeding all who come near for days.”

“That’s amazing,” said Zingdoo, ”How does it work?”

“Ahhh, it’s my special ingredient!” said Anton. “I added the leaves of the Tixie plant. When baked into a pie crust, Tixie leaves will double any ingredient they have touched, whenever anyone takes a bite.”

All of the creatures cheered, and gathered around to taste the exciting pie.

As Anton had promised, as soon as they started eating, the dish began growing and spreading. Soon it covered all of the animals under a heavy doughy crust!

They coughed, and gagged, and some started screaming because they were trapped.

“Help!” came panicked calls from under the dough.

Then, Anton, who was always prepared, saved the day by pulling out his magic torch. He coated the dough from underneath, severing the connection to the Tixie. The crust started crumbling, and separating, and falling under everyone like a fine mist.

Soon, all that was left of the giant feast was a coating of light purple dust on the forest floor.

The screams stopped, the friends blinked, and they all agreed that although the pie was delicious, it was a bit of a fiasco. When they went home, Anton put his torch and apron away for another day, determined to perfect his recipe for next time.