Prompt: Include a pun in your story today.
A howl of laughter rose from the small group of sailors, drinking ale in the corner. Reepicheep sat a small ways from them. While he was accepted by the group, and the entire ship, he usually preferred to sit away from the noisy crowd.
"Here's another one," Colpo said. Colpo was a reformed Telmarine who had taken to the sea after Miraz's death. He had a quick wit and his jokes were well loved by the entire ship. "A bear walks into an alehouse and says, 'Give me a...a...a whiskey.' the bartender replies, 'Why the big pause?' The bears says, 'I don't know. I was born with them.'"
Laughter exploded again around the table. Colpo's jokes were the favorite entertainment around the table and there wasn't a person on board who couldn't help laughing at him.
"I've got one," Sotos, a minotaur, said. Sotos was the opposite of Colpo. Very loyal, yet slow witted and not very well accepted by some.
"Aw, come on," Truddle groaned. "You've said that ten times the last hour and they've all been no funnier than a bear sucking his paws."
"I really have one this time," Sotos persisted. "What will Eustace be called when he's knighted?" After a moment of silence he looked around triumphantly. "Sir Render!"
The laughter started small but grew until it was as loud as it had been for Colpo. Colpo was the only one not laughing. The dwarf slapped Sotos on the back. "I tell you, Sotos," Truddle exclaimed, "maybe you've got a bit of the humor gene in you after all. That's real good, that is." He doubled over with laughter. "Useless Eustace never fights for anything! Sir Render indeed."
"Best thing I've heard in years," another dwarf chimed in. "Well done, Sotos."
"Stop!" Reepicheep's small, yet powerful voice rang through the deck. "What kind of talk is that? Especially of a crew mate and cousin of Their Majesties. Slanderous and shameful, that's what it is!" The table quieted instantly.
"It – it was just a joke," Sotos stammered.
"Yeah, you can't blame us for having a bit of fun," Truddle chimed in. "Especially you, Reepicheep, you should know how annoying and aggravating that boy is. And it was a good jibe, wasn't it boys?" He looked round the table for confirmation and was rewarded with hearty shouts.
"I don't care," Reepicheep snapped. "Are we not followers of Aslan? What does Aslan say about this?" Without waiting for an answer he continued. "It says, 'Speak evil of no one and show perfect courtesy to all people.'"* He glared at them. "Well?"
"But haven't you heard his constant complaints?" A faun spoke up. "And he even refused to fight you over the orange."
"That's not the point," Reepicheep said exasperatedly. "He will learn his lesson in time. Don't you remember the story of King Edmund? Why do you accept him and not Eustace?"
"Well, the king's changed," Truddle exclaimed.
"So could Eustace," Reepicheep returned. "So keep your wagging tongues quiet and give him a chance." He turned and stalked away, leaving the table silent.
*Titus 3:2