A story bound to be a classic amongst children and grown-ups alike. The combination in this book of fantasy, satire, philosophy, poetry, science, imagination and childish innocence can capture the hearts and minds of readers of all ages.
This mystical adventure begins with a small child hearing someone, in the dead of night, calling out,"Htaed! (pronounced 'taid') Htaed! Are you there?" The child awakens to a magnificent black-haired visitor, Spot, who is looking for 'Htaed' (an obscure entity).
Spot, once a neighborhood dog, found his way, through conscious striving, to become a thought provoking mentor. The child, after making a child's observations about the dark of night, overhears a conversation that suddenly takes place via a chance encounter between Spot and friends from Spot's past. Spot's friends, Dick and Jayne, are up late, bothered with everyday troubles. They do not recognize the transformed dog and a dialogue ensues:

Dick:   Who are you?

Jayne: Yes, who are you --- or should I say ... what are you?

Spot:   I am an echo of the truths that were shouted in your beginning.
          I am the innocence of a child's mind ... a small hand -- mute, preciously clutching a wilting flower.
          I am your past directing your future.
          I am you.

The emotional, enlightening dialogue ends with Spot challenging Dick, Jayne and the reader:
"... to find the good in all of your problems, to learn as much as you possibly can. I challenge you to create harmony ... to do good while striving to be better or the best."
When finally the old friends depart, and after some more musings about the night and Spot, the child encounters Spot, face-to-face. The child questions Spot about Spot's quest. Spot offers to show the child (with the understanding that nothing be touched and no questions asked).
Spot and the child venture into the night and the story continues with Spot introducing the child (and the reader) to oddities that with time and experience will bear their special meanings.
This wondrous tale explores the importance of seeing beneath the surface by beginning with ambiguity in the form of an anagram and eventually, throughout the story, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. It's an enchanting fable directed not only to young minds but also to the most sophisticated.