What a majestic portico. What a beautiful staircase descending to the courtyard below. In the centre of the courtyard there is a table. On the table there is a cage. Inside the cage there is one gander, one wolf, one mud hen, one skunk, one jack-rabbit and one child. What a strange mix-up of prisoners.

            What a happy family.

            But they won't be happy long. Look at that strange creature at the head of the staircase. It is the nimble artisan. The nimble artisan steps down, he descends the staircase. He carries a coffee pot in one hand and a jewelled match box in the other. The coffee pot is not full of coffee—oh no—it is full of gasoline. The nimble artisan now stands close to the cage. The nimble artisan raises the coffee pot on high, pouring the entire contents into the cage. The inmates of said cage are all sprinkled with gasoline. The gander, the wolf, the mud hen, the skunk, the jack rabbit and the child are saturated with gasoline. The nimble artisan now produces a match. He strikes the match. It immediately lights. How strange. The nimble artisan thrusts the flaming match through the bars of the cage. The wolf's tail ignites. The fire spreads and soon the entire happy family are in flames. They are no longer happy. They refuse to be tranquil. They voice their disapproval. What a howl, what a racket! And the smell. What a smell! Especially the skunk. Yes—the air is getting pungent. We had better retire. This way please, the atmosphere is fresher outside. We are now on the balcony. The nimble artisan soon appears with a tray. We are served with iced mead mixed with barley corn juice, so very refreshing.

            From the distant cage we hear faint murmurs. They die out. Now all is well. Selah.

Prev Next