"Ritual Offerings" by Mary Ames Murphy

In the depths of a great forest stands an old figure, carved from the wood of a dead tree. At its feet lie shiny stones, fruits, flowers- an assortment of offerings. Anyone who might chance to stumble across it will wonder at its purpose - is it a tribute to a hero or a mystic, or a likeness of some strange deity? Is it a hope for a blessing, or perhaps a way of showing respect to the spirit of the tree itself,  turning the dead wood into a nature god to protect the living forest?

How long have the little ones held their rituals around it? They could not have been the ones to carve it. Do they know what its purpose was? What do they hope to gain by bringing it these gifts? The tiny dragons gather here again and again... but they do not speak.

Long LONG overdue commission for Ksilebo. I should probably still tighten up a few areas later on.