All around him the Meridell farmers were already hard at work in their fields, digging up turnips and tending their crops the honest way. The Tax Beast never understood the point of that. Far off in Brightvale, he knew, the scholars were busy studying their books late into the night, hoping to earn a little fame and honour for themselves. He didn't understand that either. Why work so hard for your money when it was so much easier to simply knock on someone's door and take theirs? That had always seemed to him the smartest way to live.

The funny thing was, people seemed to like him for it. During the Festival of Fears, young Yurbles would dress up in green fur and little horns to look just like him, giggling as they went door to door. Some Neopians called him a pest. Some even called him a parasite, no better than the worst petpetpet. The Tax Beast didn't mind. He was big, he was powerful, and he always got paid.

"Somebody big today," he said to himself, giving his empty sack a shake. "Somebody with plenty to spare."

The first name that came to mind was Fyora, the former Faerie Queen, tucked away in her Hidden Tower. She was sure to have the most of anyone. But after a moment's thought, the Tax Beast shook his head and changed his mind.

No. Not the Hidden Tower. He turned instead toward the humble little stall of the Soup Faerie, and grinned to himself as he thought...

The Soup Faerie opened up the door and kindly welcomed the Tax Beast in: “Come in, poor creature, come in, I will provide.” Never before had the Tax Beast felt such warmth, both from the Soup Faerie as well as from the soup on the stove. He accepted her invitation and carefully stepped inside. Before he could talk, the Soup Faerie assessed her guest: “You seem down on your luck. That sack of yours is completely empty. Be sure to eat up well, a guy like you needs a good meal.”

Before the Tax Beast could even say a word, he was handed a bowl of soup. Not wanting to be rude, he dove in immediately. The Soup Faerie sat down with him. “You must be very hungry. How did you end up in this situation? How else can I help you?” The Tax Beast slurped up the rest of his soup and answered…

"But they're donations," the Soup Faerie said a little taken aback.

"It's still income. I collect tax on all income, no matter how it's earned," the Tax Beast explained, feeling slightly awkward. Usually he enjoyed delivering this news to unsuspecting folk, but she had been so kind to him.

"That's true. I've been accepting donations because of the price inflations of some key ingredients in my soups. It doesn't help that there's been a steady increase of Neopians who are in need of food," the Soup Faerie explained. "You have no idea how hard it is for some people to make a living."

The Tax Beast froze in thought. Not only was he feeling conflicted about taking some of her money, but he was afraid to admit that he had recently been wondering why some Neopians worked as hard as they did. It was something he could never quite understand. He looked down at his fierce paws and observed how much taller he was to most Neopians. Perhaps not everyone could just take things like he could.

Suddenly a thought hit him.

"I think I know how else you can help me..."

Indeed, his angry outbursts had cost him more in friendships than the taxes he’d collected. He’d always told himself that it was right, it was fair, that all of Neopia had to pay their dues, and since he had the power, he had the right to collect. But for the first time since he was a young beast at his mother’s table, the anger boiling under the surface calmed to a gentle simmer like the huge cauldron beside them. Suddenly his empty collection bag seemed a trivial thing compared to all those empty bellies.

“I think it might be time for me to take a break from collecting taxes,” he confessed. “So just this once, in the spirit of… cha-ri-ty… I’ll forget about your taxes if you’ll to teach me how to cook.”

The Soup Faerie beamed at him. She grabbed a blue apron hanging on the wall and handed it to him.

“You’ve got a deal!”...

“Now, I think we can start off with something beginner friendly and tasty,” the Soup Faerie said brightly as she placed an armful of items onto the counter top. “How does a nice Potato and Leek soup sound?”

“Delicious,” the Tax Beast said, and felt his usual cold heart thump in anticipation.

“Excellent!” The Soup Faerie said and held up a large leek in one hand, and a rotund tater in the other. “One of the most important things in cooking are fresh ingredients. And so I try to get as much as I can straight from the farms in Meridell.”

The Tax Beast nodded, thinking back to the hardworking Neopians he had observed just that morning. Perhaps this is part of why they worked as hard as they did - so that they could bring a smile to the faces of those eating the fruits of their labour.

The Soup Faerie proceeded to explain and demonstrate what he needed to do - cut the leek after trimming off the root and green reedy top, peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks. As she explained, the Tax Beast saw a trickle of Neopians begin to make their way to the cauldron-shaped house, hoping for a bowl of hot soup to start their day.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Oh dear! When did all those Neopians arrive?” The Soup Faerie said as she took a look out the window. “ I will be right back, but just shout if you need any help!”

As the Soup Faerie went about doling out sustenance for the hungry, the Tax Beast looked down at the pile of leeks and potatoes in front of him and thought, just how hard could it be...

He brought the knife down and half of the potato shot across the room. Frowning, he picked up a new potato and tried again, this time holding the potato firmly. The potato was carved cleanly in two, bringing a smile to the Tax Beast’s face. With new excitement, he began dicing and slicing, first the potatoes, then then the leeks.

By the time the Soup Faerie returned, bits of leek covered the counter, cubes of potatoes littered the floor, and a few pieces of both had somehow found their way to the top of a nearby cupboard.

“Oh my,” she said.

“I think I’m getting the hang of it,” the Tax Beast replied.

The Soup Faerie smiled. “So it would seem. Though maybe next time, chop with a bit less vigour.”

Under her watchful eye, he collected the chunks she deemed still suitable, and tossed them into the simmering pot. He crossed his arm proudly. “Now what?”

“We wait.”

The Tax Beast groaned.

“It’s important to remember that cooking a proper meal takes both time and patience.”

“Two things I’m certainly known for,” the Tax Beast grumbled.

At last, with the Soup Faerie’s instruction, he lifted the lid from the cauldron, filling the room with a warm, savoury smell. As he enjoyed the feeling of creating something so appetizing, the Soup Faerie handed him a ladle.

“Perfect timing. We’ve got some hungry mouths to feed.”

The Tax Beast looked up and saw that a line had formed. He carefully filled a nearby bowl and walked it up front, making sure he didn’t dribble and hot soup on himself. As he neared the line of Neopians waiting for a warm meal, he was caught off guard by…

“It’s The Tax Beast!” gasped a scruffy Lupe, clutching at her tiny coin purse and pointing dramatically.

“RUUUUN!” a young Cybunny cried, scampering towards the door.

The Beast’s newfound smile vanished. They would never forgive him, never accept that he might be capable of change. Couldn’t they see how hard he had worked to feed them? How could he have been so foolish as to believe that he could be as loved as the Soup Faerie herself. His cheeks began to redden with anger and he was about to throw the meal in his outstretched hands to the floor, when a clear, kind voice sounded from behind him.

“Wait!”

The Soup Faerie fluttered past him, a dozen steaming bowls stacked masterfully in her arms.

“My friends,” she said, distributing the meals to each hungry Neopian in turn, “there’s no need to be afraid. This kind soul has been my apprentice today! He’s forgiven our tax bill and even helped me make today’s batch. Potato and leek!”

“My favourite,” whispered the Cybunny, who had paused in the doorway with one foot still in the air.

A few Neopians’ expressions softened, but most still watched him warily. Taking a deep, calming breath, he let go of his anger. After all, he could hardly blame them after everything he had done. But knowing that the faerie believed in him gave him the courage to step forwards, approaching the Cybunny and offering her the bowl.

“I’m sorry everyone.” He began, voice shaking slightly. “I never understood how hard it was for so many of you. But meeting the Soup Faerie and experiencing her generosity first-hand made me realize how poorly I’ve treated of you.”

He glanced at her and she nodded encouragingly, beaming.

“It showed me that I could be more than just a Tax Beast. That maybe…” he gulped, staring at his feet, “maybe I could be a Soup Beast! I know it might be hard for you to trust me, so to prove it…”

The little Cybunny stepped forward and took the bowl from his paws. “Thank you,” she said.

The Tax Beast smiled. It was such a small thing, yet somehow those two words felt more valuable than every Neopoint he had ever collected. One by one, the others began to approach. Some still looked suspicious and others kept a distance, but nobody ran. The Soup Faerie smiled as she watched him ladle out another bowl.

“You know, if you really want to become a Soup Beast, there is one important lesson you still need to learn.” The Soup Faerie said.

“What is it?” The Tax Beast asked eagerly.

“You will have to make another batch.” The Soup Faerie laughed.

“Another batch you say?” The Tax Beast asked.

The Soup Faerie nodded and pointed to the cauldron that was almost empty. “And this time, you are doing the shopping.” She said as she handed him a long list.

The Tax Beast looked at it. It had potatoes, leeks, carrots, onions, fresh herbs, and a dozen other ingredients. He looked from the list to the door, then back at the Soup Faerie.

“Where do I get all this?” He questioned.

“From the marketplace, and the farmers in Meridell have plenty of fresh produce.” She replied.

The Tax Beast let out a big sigh. For the first time in his life, he was going to have to earn something instead of simply taking it. He tightened his blue apron and tucked the shopping list under one arm, and headed for the door…