Off Broadway

A Magpie Tale

 Faun, Horse, and Bird, 1936
Pablo Picasso 

     So a faun, a chicken, and an ugly horse walk into a barn.

     The barn-tender says, "Can I see some ID?  No minor characters allowed in here."

     The faun draws himself up to his full height and says, "I'm playing Puck.  I may be a small actor, but it's not a small part."

     The barn-tender nods, and waves him in.

     The horse stamps his hoof and tosses his mane.  "I portray Black Beauty."

     The barn-tender casts a critical eye over his shaggy gray coat.  "You look more like Rocinante."

     The horse snorts.  "I wear a wig on stage."

     The barn-tender shrugs, and lets him in.

     The chicken is walking around in circles, pecking at the floor, checking through her feathers.

     The barn-tender says, "What about you?  Got some ID?"

     The chicken looks up and flutters her wings.  "I seem to have left it across the road."