Jason Weiser

Their aunt-nephew, Dave, said that it seemed like maybe love would find a way.

Longbody should really talk to her about this first.

The older aunts laughed.

Clear communication and avoiding assumptions while wanting what was best for the other person?

Dave was young.

He had a lot to learn about relationships.

The aunts and the beetle, who I guess was interested but didn't have enough context to contribute, left to go get the remainder of that rice.

Longbody said that he should go too.

He had to get back to work, apparently.

Not listening to their conversation, the old horse, in panic, said he couldn't take it.

He turned and trotted away.

The stable hand, Shin, who had been watching, padded close behind.

Old Timber Top watched the horse rush past him.

That was an inspiration.

The man who bought him was going to take him back, fatten him up, and slaughter him.

What was even worse, he had to carry stuff for the man.

Wood, of all things.

Some jerk had bought up all the wood in his region, so he had to travel into the city to... Oh, okay, yep, okay, he saw it now.

This was a lesson.

People don't just wake up and become oxen.