~Shaggy Dog Story

A SHAGGY DOG STORY FOR CHRISTMAS

from Lu Richardson


Picture it:  it's Christmas Day, and a battle-weary knight, on the 
point of exhaustion, trundles through a strange world full of 
strange creatures; it is snowing, it is bitterly cold and it is 
getting dark.  Just as he is about to lay down and wait for death, 
he spies a ruinous castle and, with hope in his heart, quickens his 
steps towards it.

Inside, the Lord and his pretty daughter receive him kindly by a 
cheerful fire and tend to his wounds, replace his rusty weapons and 
share with him their Christmas fare.  Much refreshed, the knight 
announces that he must press on with his quest.  In vain they try to 
dissuade them, pointing out that it is very late, that it is 
snowing, and that he should stay the night with them instead.  No, 
he insists he must go.  So, the kindly Lord says to him:  "At least, 
take one of our mounts so that you don't have to walk.  As you know, 
in this world of ours so torn by war, all the horses have been 
destroyed and we are obliged to ride dogs big enough to bear our 
weight.  We have but a few left, and not of the best, but at least 
it will be something".  So the knight thanks him politely and says 
he'll be grateful for such a mount.

The Lord goes to the stables and brings a huge pooch which has seen 
better days and looks rather moth-eaten; and his daughter says:  
"Oh, father, you would not send a knight out on a dog like this!".

Sorry, folks.  Happy Christmas.