The wizard had done well at the market, having traded all his fireworks for a brace of smoked fish, a goose, and a small kitten.
Reaching the river he found the ferryman disconsolately sitting on the dock. “Where’s the ferry?” asked the wizard.
“Sunk! I’ve sent the boy for an ox team to pull it out, but he’ll be hours. Rope bridge if you can’t wait” the ferryman pointed at two ropes strung across the river.
The wizard considered…
”hmmmn I can only carry one item at a time…I know this one…uh, kitten first, then um”
There was a pricking at his ankle. The kitten was climbing his leg. “I got this mister” said the kitten when it reached his chest. “You take the fish and I’ll ride the goose”
“You will make a powerful familiar”, complimented the wizard.
“Off you go boss” said the kitten, jumping to the ground, and mounting the goose.
The wizard took the fish in one hand, grasped the upper rope in the other hand, and stepped onto the lower rope. Gingerly he crab-walked across the rope bridge. When he was midway across the kitten set sail, prompting the goose into the stream.
The goose paddled strongly, catching up with the wizard midway.
“Capital!” called the wizard, then “wait, what?!” as the goose changed course and paddled downstream.
Add comment