Jody, I used to work with a martial arts instructor years back, and I agree: it's a good way of giving youngsters a purpose and an outlook, and it certainly finds constructive work for those idle hands the Devil is so fond of. You could try something similar with folk music, maybe; but it's not really cool enough these days, is it?

Bagpuss, that's a great reworking of the story: I love that kind of thing. I recall a fake tabloid headline from my youth: Teenage girl found living with seven deformed old men, or words to that effect, well before PC. I may have a bash at doing the Dwarves' version, if I can find time. Meanwhile, have you read any of Tom Holt's books? He's a bit too sarky for my taste, but he certainly knows how to find a different angle.

Steve