Far away, on a remote island, in the deepest darkest part of the jungle, there exists a colony of magical fairies, which is ruled by a tiny white tiger who had formerly been an ant, a helicopter, and one of the richest men alive. This may seem impossible, but the world is full of impossible things. At least, that's how Simon Masrani justifies his situation. He's always been an optimist, because he knows that being negative only leads to misery. Of course, when he was a rich man, those who didn't know him very well attributed his pleasant disposition to the fact that he could buy whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. They were wrong.

While most people are either miserable because their jobs are high-paying and dull or exciting and paycheck-to-paycheck, Simon Masrani knows that wealth and ambition are not bringers of joy. Happiness comes from within, and obstacles are only as large as a person makes them. That's why he's perfectly content living in a modified birdhouse, rather than a vast mansion like before. A home is a home, regardless of size, so no matter what the world throws at him, he refuses to change his cheerful disposition.

Usually.

There are times when Simon allows himself to feel upset, but only because his actions impact others. Although it isn't fun to have bad things happen to him personally, it's so much worse to know that he's caused someone else's misery. Luckily, he's a competent man, and this happens very infrequently. Anyway, it's hard to get into much trouble in the middle of the woods. The fairy colony is rather secluded, and it's not often that it receives visitors. Today is a rare exception, because someone is on her way right now. Perched in a tree, Simon perks up when he hears heavy footsteps, but is surprised to see a beige dinosaur enter the clearing instead of his usual green guest. He frowns in confusion and hops down onto a lower branch to speak with the newcomer.

"Hello."

The dinosaur looks up in surprise.

"Oh, hi. I didn't see you there . . ."

"I know. I'm small," he says neutrally, "What brings you here?"

Her nostrils twitch.

"I thought you were aware of this meeting . . ."

"Yes, but I was expecting Claire."

The dinosaur nods.

"Yeah, I'm filling in for her today. She sends her apologies. She's at her daughter's dance recital."

Simon smiles.

"Good for her. I always knew that she'd find her way eventually."

The dinosaur sits down and pulls a clipboard out of her backpack. She squishes a pen between her toes.

"Right, so she told me to ask you about your flood prevention plan. I'm supposed to take detailed notes-"

"That is a task you cannot accomplish. When Claire says 'detailed', she isn't joking around. No person dead or alive can meet her standards, you know. We'd better postpone the meeting until she's available."

The dinosaur shakes her head.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking notes. I'm just as responsible as Claire, if not more."

Simon smiles warmly.

"Well, being responsible is all well and good, but it never made Claire happy."

The dinosaur snorts gently.

"Yeah, but I could probably do her job better."

Simon flicks his tail back and forth.

"Jealousy isn't healthy, you know."

"I'm not jealous!" the dinosaur says somewhat defensively, "I'm just sick of everyone underestimating me, that's all!"

He clicks his tongue sadly.

"Oh, Vivian. You've lost sight of what's important. You have friends, correct?"

"Sure."

"And they respect you, yes?"

"Yeah, but-"

"That's more valuable than praise from coworkers."

The dinosaur huffs in irritation.

"Spare me your lectures. I'm not like Claire, okay? I don't ignore my family."

"Your family?"

"I don't have a big family, I guess, but-"

"You might want to consider starting one."

She shrugs.

"Well, my relationship is going steady, but it's not like we can have kids."

"Why not?"

"It's impossible."

Simon smirks.

"And yet you are a polka-dotted dinosaur talking to a tiny, white tiger in the Land of Fairies."

She rumbles with annoyance.

"Yeah, things got weird, but the impossible never works in my favor."

Simon cocks his head.

"You don't like being a dinosaur?"

"No . . . I mean, I don't hate it, but I'd rather not. I want to be somebody important, and being a dinosaur gets in the way of that."

"It doesn't have to."

"But it always turns out that way."

She sighs and lies on her belly, resting her chin on her front feet.

"I don't want to be all big and clunky and stuff. I want hands. I want to be able to eat bacon and eggs. I want a butt that doesn't have a clumsy tail attached to it. It's inconvenient to be a dinosaur. It sucks to be me."

Simon exhales slowly.

"Perhaps it's not your shape that needs to be adjusted. Your attitude could use some work, I think."

"What do you mean?"

"You're alive, you're healthy, and you are surrounded by people who enjoy your company. There are men and women who would kill to have your good fortune."

She snorts.

"But those people don't have to be dinosaurs."

Simon gives her a serious look.

"I'm sure most people would gladly accept the chance to be a healthy dinosaur rather than, say, being a terminally ill human."

"Not everyone."

"No, not everyone, but a significant amount. There is nothing more miserable than living in constant pain. I'm sure having a tail is preferable to that."

She frowns.

"No offense, but I don't see why I should believe you. You've had it pretty easy in life, being rich and all."

Simon laughs.

"You'd be surprised . . ."