1. Because Happily Ever Afters make you happy.
2. You are tired.
3. An accident has prevented you from continuing.
4. You've run out of material for the craft you're working on.
5. You just really like cliffhangers.
6. The story had dragged on long enough that all interest in it has died.
7. The thing you were working on was canceled.
8. The thing reached a satisfying place to end.
9. You've run out of ideas.
10. Because you've reached The End.
There comes a point when one must ask themselves, Is it worth continuing on this course?
Of course, it is probably best to ask yourself this before you are being chased by an angry dragon in the company of a mad elf and pyromanic human.
Unfortunately, you don't get a lot of opportunities to reflect on your life choices when you happen to be said human's horse.
"Onward, Aodh!" My human urges, and I offer a snort as we angle for the narrow pass that leads out of the mountains towards the forest. If we can reach it, we'll be safe, as the dragon is too large to fit in such a tight area.
Hopefully, the mad elf my human insisted on bringing was able to use her magic to prevent the dragon from using its fire. If not, well, I've been around more than my share of fire since acquiring my human.
We make it to the pass, but barely, the rancid breath of the dragon hot on my croup as its teeth snap shut mere moments too late to catch me. The dragon's roar of fury is painfully loud, and spurs me to greater speeds even as the mad elf gives a piercing laugh.
My human joins in the laughter, and I wonder why I didn't listen to my dam when she suggested I find myself nice bard to travel with. No, I just had to go for the gallantry of becoming a knight's steed, I thought bitter to myself. If I ever sired any foals, I'd make sure they knew to always listen to their dam.
When we finally made it out of the pass and into the forest, I was exhausted. But on the bright side, the dragon seemed to have given up once we were outside of its territory.
My human cared for my needs before seeing to his own, and I reminded myself that a little danger came with the job. I'd wanted adventure, and I was getting exactly what I'd asked for. I was young yet, and I couldn't trust any other horse to keep my human from setting fire to the camp. Again.
Speaking of setting fires, I thought with a resigned huff as I recognized that gleam in my human's eyes. Flicking an ear in irritation, I went to stop with from trying to burn the fancy scroll he'd stolen from the dragon's hoard. We needed to get that back to the court magician, who really should know better by now than to send my human to fetch something so easy to burn.
1. Snakes.
2. Vultures.
3. Crocodiles.
4. Moose.
5. Cats.
6. Moths.
7. Frogs.
8. Owls.
9. Snails.
10. Elephants.
The road was long, but still they traveled on.
Mile by mile, until at last they reached their destination.
There, the family gathered round, eager to exchange tales from their year.
The atmosphere was warm, everyone feeling bright with good cheer.
With how spread out they were, the moments wherein they could all gather were few.
But each time they did, their love for one another grew.
1. Socks.
2. A hat.
3. A block of wood.
4. A game.
5. Anything elephants.
6. A mug.
7. Pajamas.
8. Books.
9. A flashlight.
10. Chocolate.
Rabbits may rush about trying not to be late, and turtles might slowly find themselves winning a race.
Whatever the moment, there are options ahead.
Even in sometimes the best option is going to bed.
Setting a schedule doesn't always work right.
Sometimes you forget until late in the night.
Whether you relate to the rabbit's quick feet or to the turtle's slow and steady beat, rember to take a moment to breathe.
1. Mints.
2. Fudge.
3. Syrup.
4. Mousse.
5. Milkshakes.
6. Candycanes.
7. Ice cream.
8. Hot chocolate.
9. Cookies.
10. Cheesecake.
Should you neglect your dragon, they may just decide to eat you.
If you feel as though this is a potential occurrence, you can attempt to dissuade your dragon from this course by placating them with a treasure for their hoard.
Just be sure to pick something that your dragon will highly value, or else you might insult them into finalizing their decision to eat you.
1. Look at how unique each snowflake is.
2. Take a picture to send to friends who live where there is no snow.
3. Listen to how queit everything seems when covered in snow.
4. Twirl around as it falls.
5. Watch your dog run delightedly through it.
6. Make a snowangel.
7. Build a snow fort.
8. Shovel a path through it.
9. Have a snowball fight.
10. Build a snowman.
Fatigue settles like the a cold chill from being caught in the rain without a coat.
You become sluggish, unsure if you'll ever be warm and dry again.
But an opportunity to rest is like finally getting dried off and settling someplace warm.
It may take a little time to get there, but the fatigue you feel now needn't last forever.
Rest will come, eventually. You must simply be read to seize hold of it once it appears.