Wonderland VII: The Preacher's Tale

- Readers, I hope you forgive me. I’m retracting some words I once said: I'd planned to write just five of these tales But I've added a sixth tale instead.. Night The preacher was searching for Duchess Also known as 'The Tabard Inn Cat'. Scared by the storm she'd run out of the inn And knocked over his drink where he sat. That event brought an end to his chess game: The first he had played in a while. His worthy opponent who sipped water had said That his comforting words made her smile. The preacher had stood from the table. Looking scared and somewhat distraught. He felt for some reason there was trouble ahead And proclaimed that the cat should be caught. He'd opened the door of The Tabard And was met by the sound of the rain. A sailor pushed past him and into the bar As the preacher limped off down the lane. Later That Night The last person to see him still breathing Was sadly not sober at all. A 'top-hatted' man who was heading for home Thought he saw someone scaling a wall. He swore that he saw something smiling With eyes that stared back and looked weird. It was all very dark and his mind wasn't right Then the shadow he saw disappeared. The Morning After The preacher was found dead the next morning He had fallen it seemed from a height. Whispers and rumours were swirling around Like the wind from that wet stormy night: - "He had feelings for a woman who's taken.." - "Their love was just dead on the shelf!" - "He was burdened by guilt with his faith and all that" - "That cat was the devil itself!" Later That Week A sermon revealed at his service (That the whole town had turned out to see) That the preacher was an animal lover And had suffered with PTSD. You see he was once a brave soldier But lost hate when he lost his right leg. He left to preach love and bring all things together: ..He was truly an all-round good egg.