If you were walking through the snow on December 24th, 2000, you might have been shocked to see a dwarf walking head down through the deep snow, carrying a sack almost bigger then himself. You might have thought it comical if there was not such an alarming aura of sadness about the way our small statured friend carried the heavy sack.

It had stopped snowing hours earlier, but a huge weight was still pulling down on Peter's soul, as the sack he had been carrying for three days weighed down on his sore back. The sun was shining but there was no warmth, only the bitter, unending cold. It was very cold, even for December. The cold had never bothered Peter this much before, he was used to being in sub-zero temperature, but never had there been the need for him to travel alone. Always before he had enjoyed the company of his friend Allen.

Peter and Allen had been inseparable since childhood, and had always agreed on everything, until the day they found the orc, three days prior. The orc who had been guarding her young, and guarding the treasure all orcs have, hidden in the inner recesses of their caves. Allen had wanted to continue on their journey, to return to their hometown, to their families, hopefully in time for Christmas, but Peter had to have that treasure. The crystal mines had been unprofitable that year, yielding mostly quartz, and only a few of the priceless diamonds the Dwarf mines were so famous for, and Peter had not done very well. Allen had found several large diamonds in the mines that year, but Peter had found only one of the precious gemstones, and it was rather small.

After the sale of the diamond, Peter had enough to buy presents for his own family, but not enough for presents for Allen's numerous offspring. So on that sad day, they fought the orc and won, the orc lay dead upon the snow. They could not bring themselves to slay the orc's children, and her mate would care for them until spring, when he returned from the days hunt. The two dwarves mourned the loss of a life, as was dwarf custom, then entered the cave. In the cavern farthest from the entrance, they found a sack full of huge diamonds. Peter took the sack, neither of the friends saying a word, and they walked to the mouth of the cave, and resumed their journey.

The male orc returned to his cave after a successful hunt to find his mate dead, slain by the dwarves, and in a sorrowful rage, followed their tracks until he came upon the two dwarves sitting by a small fire eating their evening meal. They were caught completely unawares, and before either one knew what was going on, Allen lay dead in the snow, victim of the orc's rage at having lost his mate. Peter jumped to his feet with a cry of sadness, and unsheathed his sword. The orc, his anger appeased, retreated, to go care for his motherless children, and Peter knowing that enough blood had been shed on that fateful day, let the orc return to his brood, while he buried the body of his friend. Sorrowfully, Peter picked up the sack of diamonds, and, this time without his partner, resumed the trek home.

On the date of December 24th, 2000, you might be shocked to see a dwarf throw a sack of huge diamonds into a river, knowing that no expensive trinkets would ever replace the father of his friend's children. All this for the greed of wanting to be able to give more, to be better. No more would he hear the sound of Allen's voice on the long walk to the mines and back. No more would he laugh and sing on Christmas day with their combined families. One death led to another, and there was blood desecrating the pure white beauty of the snow. Remember, to give is better than to receive, but if you are giving at someone else's expense, it would be better if you didn't give at all.