Once upon a time, every whimsical little being on the planet Leetle was happy. A utopia it was called, and basically was. Days were filled with a smiling sun, and the breeze was just right. Whimsical songs were sang all night long. Lanterns were competing only with the flitting fire-flies.
Then, one day, the Improvers came. They used their claws and teeth to tear down the trees. With their rancid breath they extinguished the lanterns and hushed the voices of those who once sang. Factories were built and were filled with the now sad and changing Leetlites. Their skin transformed from pearly white to smoky black.
They worked the day away, and still do to this day, while the smokestacks churn out smoke and sadness and things not spoken of.