Inside the stove， he found

    a passageway， leading to a set of stairs.

    This caused him a great deal of worry

    as well as elation and gladness of living.

    He did not， however， venture

    into the oven， but sent his little brother in

    in his stead. This seemed at first

    a good idea， but when the brother

    had been gone three days， he began

    to second-guess the wisdom

    of his rash choice. He'd go in after him，

    he decided. But the passage

    had shrunk by then， and no normal-sized

    person could fit through. Yes， that's it，

    I sent him in because， from a purely physical

    standpoint， I myself could never have gone.

    And besides， he mumbled to himself，

    it's probably nice in there.