 |
| The Goose and old goat come knocking |
“I’m crippled, you do it,” another voice said. I recognized it as Sophie’s voice, the very old goat. Which led me to think she was most likely with The Goose who tended to chaperone her, or any needy animals.
I peeked out the side window. I considered crawling on my hands and knees under the window to get back to the kitchen, but the intrigue of what they wanted got the best of me.
The Goose and the goat, and any barn animals to be clear are not supposed to be at the front door. It is the domain of the humans, and the house dogs. So when they crossed that gate line, it usually was for a reason and I learned over the years not to ignore them.
“What is going on?” I asked, as I opened the door.
“We have an issue,” said The Goose.
“Yes, we need issue advice,” said the old goat.
I sat down on the stoop and shut the door. It was chilly but I enjoyed the winter’s crisp air and I could smell the wafts from the cove.
“I’m listening,” I said.
“Do you have any crackers or perhaps toast in your pocket?” asked the old goat.
“No, is that the issue?”
“Heavens no, that is not an issue, I’m just hungry, you have not given me breakfast yet,” she said.
“I haven’t fed you because I just got up and I’m sitting here waiting to help with your issue!” I snapped.
The Goose took over.
“I have asked Sophie here to be my valentine. There is a dance on Saturday night,” he said.
A dance, I thought. I have not been invited.
“And I’ve been asked by Ollie the goat,” said Sophie. “I accepted both invitations, but I want to go with The Goose.”
Hussy, I thought.
“Why not just all go together, as friends. I used to do that in college and it was more fun than a date,” I said.
“Was that in the World War? I saw a movie on that,” said The Goose.
“No, I was not in a World War, thank you very much,” I said.
Then old Sophie leaned into The Goose and whispered to him.
And The Goose explained, first clearing his long throat. “Ahem. Sophie fell when we practiced the box step. And that made her tinkle in her dance dress. She likes the dances because they bring her warm memories of being at her grandparents’ dances, she likes the music, especially the fiddle.” Goose said.
There’s going to be a fiddle? I thought.
He went on, “She wants me to be her jealous suitor so nobody will dance with her, so she doesn’t tinkle in her pants.”
I held Sophie’s old head, and said, “Ah, lass, we all tinkle in our pants when we fall. I can be Ollie’s date.”
 |
| The Goose practices his two step |
