A long time ago in
a land far away, dragons, goblins, unicorns and all manner of strange beasts walked the land.
Because the world was still ruled by magic, they all got along very well, and their social life was really swinging. There was dancing in the fairy rings, moonlight hauntings and races of all kinds.
One of the most popular
events was the cart rally, for which many assorted couples entered every year. These
popular rallies have continued to enthral people right down to the present day, though they use cars nowadays, but in those
halcyon days, they used horses and carts. The flying fairy formations which were
an essential part of the event's attractions grew more spectacular every year, and culminated with the sprinkling of fairy
dust over the combatants to ensure their safety.
Regular contestants were
a ghost and his faithful companion, a white rabbit. They entered into every rally,
and could usually be depended upon to finish in the top three places, so the bookies never gave good odds on them.
In the year that Merlin
the magician turned 150 years old, he was chosen to decide in which order the participants would start out. They left, as they do now, at ten minute intervals.
There was a great deal of
milling around in the brilliant sunshine that was always arranged for this event, and the noise was such that the course officials
had a great deal of trouble hearing what Merlin was saying.
'The elf and the leprechaun
are to leave at 10.40,' he announced. 'The lion and the lamb have a 9.50 start,
the dragon and the goblin will get away just before them at 9.40 and...' The
rest of his sentence was lost in a burst of cheering as the magical unicorn arrived, with her great golden horn gleaming in
the sunshine, a young maiden dressed in daffodil yellow leading her toward the starting area.
'Excuse me Merlin, what time did you say that the ghost and the white rabbit are to leave?' shouted the
recording elf.
'I said,' yelled Merlin,
'That the ghoul and his bunny are noon started.'
