dalai_llama ever dumbening Hastings, NE Area goat farmer Andrew "Andy" J. Lacert got an early, unexpected Christmas gift this year. Lacert was pouring feed into the troughs early Wednesday when several men in flowing robes and tall yellow hats, identifying themselves as members of the Gelug-pa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, approached. "I was a bit nervous at first. I mean this is Hastings, not Lincoln. But they had right nice smiles, they did," said Lacert. "Tshapo Goba, nice fella, walks right up and offers me a bowl of somesuch that reminded me of Ruth Anne’s clam chowder--New England, that is." Apparently Goba's offering of yak butter tea put Lacert at ease. Goba then explained that one of the monks in his temple outside of Gyantse had had a vision, which told him to come to Hastings. The vision clearly described a hearty goat named PepperPaul. "Yeah, I got a goat what goes by that name. I always took a real shine to him; never new he-uz that special though. I mean the 18th incarnation of the Dalai Llama--come on." PepperPaul, after having clomped his hoof correctly in response to questions only his holiness could know, was taken from Lacert in exchange for several lavish tapistries and a jewel encrusted prayer wheel. "Sweet Suzy Grey sure will miss PepperPaul--uh, I mean Sang-po Lugu," quipped Lacert, "and I will too." --Tone Toni Tony is a frequent contributor to Modern Yak. 011221 ... fred hydrochloric llama dolly_rocker 011221 ... tonya all apologies to god and syd 011221 ... kelli crane mecca lecca hi mecca hiny ho yea, though the hindu speak of Karma... 020115 what's it to you? who go blather from