Did I ever tell you a Ukrainian folktale about a dog and a wolf?

Dog's getting up there in years. His people say he is not earning his keep anymore and begin to treat him accordingly. Dog laments his situation, stands on the brink of utter canine disillusionment...

Friend wolf says, "Major psy op. Let's stage a situation in which you will be proclaimed a hero. Let's say you save their beloved child from me." Plan works. Dog is ensured a dignified old age. Now dog owes wolf something.

Dog decides to treat wolf to a family gathering in which wolf will be permitted to eat and drink as he pleases in the company of those who would normally cast him out. A choice experience of which wolf is happy to partake.

Wolf attends and no one even notices. Wolf eats hearty, enough for several days- and then moves on to drinking and gets totally drunk! Then wolf says to dog, "I must sing." Dog says, "NO wolf! You mustn't do it!" Wolf can't help himself. Wolf begins to sing. Panic ensues.

Dog gets wolf out of this jam with the effect of becoming a hero yet again. Then dog says to wolf, "You got my back once and I got yours. Next time, you're on your own."

The End. Dog, Wolf take a bow (curtain closes)

Goodnight Henry.