APOCRYPHA

       


    "Tunc praecurrit comis..."


    Years ago, St. Jerome--
    Don't give me that look!
    I'm NOT off the subject
    and this is NOT a shaggy dog story
    (though there IS a dog in it)

    I'm trying to tell you
    (You want the truth
    and you want it "Gospel"
    but you take me "Apocryphal"
    before I even start)--

    lied, but he didn't really.
    (and neither did I.
    It's just some times
    the truth needs a little help)

    Hey, hear me out!
    You see, long ago
    (Whether it happened or not
    is NOT the issue,
    though right now that IS the issue)

    this guy, Tobias*, went on an errand
    and he brought along his dog
    (No he was NOT shaggy)
    and he met an angel
    (well, this MIGHT be true)
    who helped him
    and then he came back home--

    Wait! here's the important part.
    You see, years later
    poor St. Jerome is translating
    this story into the vulgar tongue
    and he can't find out
    what happened to the dog.

    So honest Saint Jerry
    (falling into the translators temptation)
    CORRECTED the Holy Bible
    and said the dog came back too.

    Now that wasn't in the Greek
    and so that wasn't the Truth.
    but it wasn't a lie either, get it!
    It just HAD to be true.

    I mean, what happened to the DOG?
    See, these things just happen.
    Even the word of God
    might need a editing,
    sometimes.

 

Author's Note

* "The dog which was at that time on the way with them
and like a messenger come against Tobit and celebrated
with his tale." (with his tail?)

"Tobit" chapter 11