Before the High and Far Off Times, O my Best Beloved, came the Time of the Very Beginnings; and that was in the days when the Eldest Magician was getting Things ready. First he got the Earth ready; then he got the Sea ready; and then he told all the Animals that they could come out and play. And the Animals said, O Eldest Magician, what shall we play at? And he said, I will show you. He took the Elephant All the Elephant there was and said, Play at being an Elephant, and All the Elephant there-was played. He took the Beaver All the Beaver there was and said, Play at being a Beaver, and All the Beaver-there was played. He took the Cow All-the Cow-there was and said, Play at being a Cow, and All the Cow there was played. He took the Turtle All the Turtle there-was and said, Play at being a Turtle and All the Turtle there was played. One by one he took all the beasts and birds and fishes and told them what to play at.
