Notes

Dear Igor,
I understand you must be feeling slightly put-out right now, being a vaguely brown amalgamation of parts with a mouth that looks about as large as your actual body. To you, it may seem as if I intended to build a creature with the heart of a monster, but I had no such intentions. I only wanted to construct a being with the strength to defend himself, but the spirit to protect others. My only hope for you is that you live a happy, fulfilled life, a very valuable component of which is, I believe, the capacity to pursue your own interests. My sole request is that you don't get into the habit of eating humans, regardless of how tasty their meat may be. In fact, it is my hope that you find a way to become friends with a few humans, because though they may seem like nothing but a talking, slightly more intelligent food source from afar, I think you will find them worthy companions upon further contact.

Of course, I do not intend to leave you without at least a little bit of advice for surviving and thriving in this world. I would say to you, Igor, that it is always better to have loved than to have never allowed yourself to try. Rejection is a singularly painful experience, but there is a reason humans constantly try daring things and test new limits - the results are always worth it. Do not be afraid, Igor, of being a good person, because even if you are initially met by ignorant hate and feel the stirrings of bitterness within you, to give in to those emotions would be to commit yourself to a fate far worse than impermanent rejection.