A shaggy dog story.....
It's midwinter on Dartmoor, the bleak landscape is shrouded in gales and deep snow. Behind a bolted old door and by an open fire sits the Inn keeper of The Jolly Roger. At this time of year, no one ventures out accross the moor, to this blot on the landscape, not even the village idiot.
One particularly harsh night, whilst stoking the fire and fiddling the books, he hears to his astonishment a tap tap tap at the door. Is that someone out there? He goes to the door and tugs it open. A huge snow drift collapses into the room and with it a rabbit!
Please, help me, gasps the bunny. The inn keeper wrestles the heavy door back shut and stares at the rabbit in disbelief. You look just like me! he exclaimed, but without the antler look. Please, I have been wondering lost for days in the storm with no food, can you kindly afford me some scraps?
The inn keeper scratched his head to think. I'm sorry he said. Everything is shut down here for the winter. My kitchens are bare, I hardly even have a sky tv reception. Let me go see what I can find for you. The rabbit sat by the fire, chewed a little on the garishly patterned carpet and waited.
The keeper returned with a sandwich. It's not much, just some tomato and onion, but I toasted it for you. Thank you kindly said the rabbit, now I can continue my way.
A week later there is another tap tap tap on the door. Sure enough the bunny was back for more, along with the drifting snow that poured back in. Please, sorry to ask twice but I have found nothing else to chomp on, can you help? The keeper manages to rustle up a Worcester sauce flavour crisps sandwich with peas. They sat and chatted through the night, sharing tales and scoffing toasties. The rabbit went on and on.
Another week passed and again the rabbit paid a shivering visit. This time the landlord could only find a piece of dry broccoli and a dog biscuit to make a toasted sandwich with. The bunny polished it off. Thanks again, it's real tough out there, you have saved my life many times. The rabbit left, back into the howling night.
A week passed, a month passed, nothing. No tap tap tap at the door. The inn keeper wondered how his little friend was getting on, spring was just around the corner. Another month and still nothing. A whole year turned without another visit, then one night, on the anniversary there was a feint tap tap on the door. The rabbit! thought the landlord and swung open the door to a face full of snow. There hovering was the ghost of his pal. What happened? Asked the astonished keep, did the cold finally get you?
No said the bunny, I got had by mixing-me-toasties.