It was a dark and windy night, rain battered down into the cold ground. Beneath the surface, a plague of particles so tightly bound they drank the raindrops like nectar. Some, told by their grandfathers and their fathers before called this impenetrable beast, The Chilling Clay. Hard as bones, cold as ice, the beast knew no bounds. Nore, did the beast share water, food, life, with its surrounding terrorised neighbours. Miniscule microorganisms travelled to and begged The Chilling Clay for the food hidden within its dense stomach, yet few ever returned to tell the tale. The Chilling Clay consumed like a mouthed blackhole, hunger beyond comprehension.
Yet, in the sheltered shed not so far away, a bag laid to rest out of the harsh conditions. Cool and dry, the bag of Melcourt Composted Fine Bark looked out at The Chilling Clay and did not feel fear, nor terror. For, the Composted Fine Bark knew that perhaps this beast was less of a monster, and more of a misunderstood giant. Generations had passed on terrifying stories around campfires and to children snuggled in bed as scary nighttime stories. Fearful fungal spores, miserable mycorrhizae hyphae and anguished amoebas all feared interacting with the beast, believing it to be unbeatable, fearing what would happen to them. And, like usual, they quivered in fear for the rest of this cold and wet night.
The next day, forecast for rain in the afternoon but a drier morning, the human emerged from their sofa with their crocs equipped, and their gardening gloves tucked in their pocket. The shed door swung open, and a bill of light spewed onto The Melcourt Composted Fine Bark, illuminating its 50L Coniferous green tones. The bag knew what this meant and felt immense excitement to meet its competitor. Spread evenly in a generous 5cm or 10cm depth, the Melcourt Composted Fine Bark touched hands with The Chilling Clay. Quiet at first, but over the coming days of rain, become closer to the beast, taming and encouraging it to communicate. Finally, the Melcourt Composted Fine Bark knew it was time. It was time for them to speak, to open up to each other. The Chilling Clay withheld at first, but after the warm embrace calmed the beast, it gave in. They embraced each other.
Finally, The Chilling Clay, now soft, in a million pieces in between the Melcourt Composted Fine Bark. Instead of holding hatred, it willingly handed out food and water and space for friendship, and became less of an enemy, and more of a friend.