All of what follows is true.

I was having a picnic that first day of spring when a pesky crow flew down and stole my spoon.

The nasty bird flew into the trees and then through a gate, but I followed with haste.

He flew over a swirling lake, and the black swans honked at him in anger.

I chased him through a garden and tried not to disturb the locals.

Unfortunately some of the locals were already disturbed.

It got very cold and my boat froze, so I had to chase the crow through the graveyard on foot.

Zuddiger chases the crow through a snowy graveyard, the gravestones of which are three times as tall as they should be. His boat is frozen in a lake in the background, and the shadowy form of a four-armed giant seems to rise up beyond a large crypt to watch the chase.

But the crow had an older brother. Zuddiger cowers in a large forest clearing at the center of which is a large stone spire. The crow hovers near the top and points down at Zuddiger with a wingtip while the older brother, an immense crow perched atop the spire, peers down with angry eyes.

I was beginning to worry that I would not be able to finish my picnic after all.

The bigger crow clutches Zuddiger in its talons and flies over a swamp filled with scary worms that rise up to bite at Zuddigers feet; the smaller crow flaps along behind the bigger bird, spoon still clutched in its beak.

Fortunately, I landed on something soft.

The giant bird and the crow fly off into the sky laughing as Zuddiger, recently dropped, lands on the belly of a particularly hideous troll. In the background rises an iron cage shaped like a beehive, from which dozens of smiling but disembodied faces shine down.

And also fortunately, Im faster and craftier than a silly old troll.

Zuddiger sneaks down a forest path; the angry troll is far behind. The troll carries a large ranseur and is climbing around on a crooked house as if hes looking for Zuddiger among the houses dozens of mismatched roofs.

But I still didnt have my spoon.

Zuddiger wanders forlornly through a forest glade filled with statues; in the background, a tall tower rises from a round hilltop.

As it turned out, neither did that nasty crow!

An elated Zuddiger finds the crow caught by a beautiful womanshe holds the spoon in one hand and a scared crow in the other. In the background, a strange house looms on an island.

So I traded my sword for a spoon and a bird.

The now smiling woman gives a grinning Zuddiger the spoon and the crow and accepts his sword as a gift.

And made it back home in time for dinner.

Zuddiger, spoon in one hand and the tied-up crow tucked under an arm, walks down another forest path, at the end of which can be seen his picnic basket, blanket, and raspberry preserves sitting patiently in a clearing.

It was the best picnic ever.

Zuddiger sits down to a picnic meal of raspberry preserves while a delicious looking crow roasts over an open fire.