“Tell us a joke!”

Below is a short excerpt  from Pyromarne, Book 2 of The Heart of the Caveat Whale trilogy, which is a FREE ebook Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week! Book 1, will be free Wednesday and Thursday. If you enjoy the mirth you read here, you’ll love these books.

(Hint: Ulys, pronounced Oo’-lees, are the river people on the world of Aiqua Marrin. All the characters in the following scene are Ulys.)

The rich smell of fresh manure hit their nostrils as soon as Kedonta opened the smaller door on the side of the stables. The children sat on tiers of hay bales. Under the dim light from a single hanging lantern they whispered among themselves. A few of the sleeping horses huffed, then grew quiet.

“We’re trying to think of cheerful things,” one of the children told Kedonta. “Tell us one of your jokes.”

“Tell us a joke! Tell us a joke!” the children echoed   quietly, clapping their hands together noiselessly.

“Is this the payment I owe for my breakfast?” Kedonta asked them.

There was a wave of mischievous nods from the children.

“Then one of you must make my breakfast,” said Kedonta with a sly grin, taking a seat facing them as if it was a theater. “Okay… What did the Uly say to the blueberry?” He waited dramatically in the silence, and then said, “I’ll be berry quick to eat you!”

There was a snicker from one of the younger children, but no other sound.

“What did the blueberry say in return?” He continued. He waited again for comedic effect before giving his answer, “Nothing! Blueberries can’t talk!”

The younger ones laughed, but the older children just smiled and rolled their eyes at him.

“Give us a good one!” said Rorktû who sat on the highest tier.

“C’mon,” said Kedonta. “I don’t have much today, and you’re a tough audience this morning. Let’s see… Why was the roving horse cranky?” He waited again in the ‘suspenseful’ pause. “He wanted a ‘stable’ home.”

This time the roar of laughter woke a few of the horses.

“I suppose I should feed them now that I’ve poked fun at them.” Kedonta pushed himself to his feet.

“Here,” Rorktû said, handing him a bowl of cereal with berries, “you’ve more than earned your breakfast, Brother Kedonta. I’ll take care of the horses.”