This tapestry makes me laugh every time I see it. Let's see if it does the same to you.
#011 Language Lessons
Particularly Punny Puns
"No no, it's a horseless carriage, not a magical contraption. It's has a perfectly logical way of working that has nothing to do with hocus pocus abracadabra." Henry Ford said in exasperation, sighing as the feä of Finrod Felagund looked at him in confusion.
"I do not understand what this abra-ca-da-bara has to do with this horseless carriage." Finrod said in all innocence, while the late Mr. Ford attempted to stifle a groan.
"It's just an... Expression." He said hastily. "This particular carriage is called a van." He said, pointing out a tin-type photograph of said vehicle.
Finrod peered at it. "It does not look like a goose to me." He declared solemnly, and Henry looked at him incredulously. What has this got to do with a goose?" He asked in honest bewilderment.
"I was hoping that thou couldst tell me." Finrod replied simply, secretly wondering if this truly was a descendant of the house of Beör. He didn't remember them being this confusing or seemingly stupid before.
"No, no, it's a van, not a goose." Henry tried, and Finrod hummed.
"But thou art saying it is called goose in Sindarin." He pointed out reasonably.
"Oh for the love of- no, it's English, not Sindareen or whatever you're saying." Poor Henry felt rather exhausted. If he'd had a body, he was sure his very mustache would have been drooping limply by this point.
Námo, watching quietly from a dark corner, nearly laughed aloud, instead grinning widely as he watched the poor confused Finrod and exasperated Henry try to communicate.
"I... See." Finrod said, though it was obvious that he didn't. "And this- this space here?" He asked, pointing at the windows of the van in the picture.
"Those are windows. They're made with glass." Henry said, rather relieved that he wouldn't have to explain the name anymore.
"Made of happiness? Is there such a thing?" Finrod asked incredulously, and Henry did groan this time as Námo choked back his hysterical laughter.
"No! Where did you get that idea! It's made of a clear substance called glass that's easily breakable." Henry tried, thrown into another loop.
"But thou didst call this strange thing happiness." Finrod insisted.
"No, it's not Sidrin or whatever. It's English. Called glass." Henry languished in his chair, while Finrod looked thoughtful.
"It is called Sindarin." Finrod reproached softly. "And glass means happy." He added.
"Well it doesn't in English. I say, your language is strange." Henry said in a fit of petulance, feeling that his attempt to explain his horseless carriage to the skeptics of his day had been infinitely easier compared to this psychological torture.
"And to me, no doubt thy language is stranger." Finrod replied calmly, and Henry threw up his hands.
"Well I'm sure." He groused. "What else, is there some meaning to the Spanish word 'el burro' in elvish too?" He snarked, and Finrod blinked.
"Vassal? What about a vassal?" He asked. "Indeed, this carriage could be called a vassal."
Námo burst into laughter as a Maia appeared before the utterly worn out Henry Ford to carry him away, coming out to lay a hand on Finrod's shoulder.
"Indeed, child, thou'rt amusing in thy attempt to communicate with Henry." He chuckled. "His language is quite different from thine, is it not?" He asked amusedly, and Finrod sighed.
"I still do not know what vassal or happiness or a goose has to do with a horseless carriage." Was his mournful answer as the halls filled with lord Námo's hearty laughter, causing all who heard it to smile, though they knew not why.
I couldn't help it. I was studying elvish and I read that 'glass' means happy, 'van' means goose, and 'burro' means vassal in Sindarin. Naturally, I laughed myself silly and this ridiculous fic was born. Well, maybe you learned something new. ;)
This one shot was 602 words. Enough for a laugh? :)
