Once upon a time, when kings and queens ruled the land of Ye Olde Subut Village, there lived a jolly man named Ronnie O’Ryan. Ronnie was desperately poor, and the only thing that could save him from starvation was the never-ending pot of cookies at the end of the rainbow. Warm and fresh, these rare cookies were made by none other than Queen Cozy of the Gnome Kingdom. The Queen’s cookies were sweet, yet salty, soft but crispy, and even King Jacques III of Subutiland gave thousands of gold coins just for one single bite, even though the queen refused the money every time. Ron had never tasted one of these scrumptious delicacies, but from the townsfolk’s chatter, they seemed to be heaven. One day, when Ronnie was on his mid-morning walk, he stumbled upon a leprechaun. Literally- Ron tripped over the miniature subutilin.

 “Hey, up there! What’s the big idea?” he squeaked. “Can’t you see I’m practicing my spells?”

“I-I’m very sorry,”  Ronnie stammered. “You’re so small, how am I supposed to see you?”

“Well, sir, I’m very sorry for being in the way of your daily stroll! It’s not like I have anything better to do, like MAGIC! Why are you in this part of the woods anyway?”

“Oh, I’m just off to find the golden pot of cookies at the end  of the rainbow!” Ronnie chirped. Nothing-not even a grouchy leprechaun could ruin this perfect day.

The rainbow was dimming, and  Ronnie was halfway down the road to unlimited nutrition. 

Or, as much nutrition as chocolate chip cookies could give you. He was in the middle of thinking deeply about the cookies when the notion struck him that he was being followed.

“Come out, come out wherever you are!!” screamed a terrified  Ronnie.             

“Don’t fret, pussycat,” the leprechaun replied from behind a bush.  “It’s just me.”

“Oh, oh, alright, so you think that even though I have been through a dark forest, battling ferocious beasts and creepy cave-dwellers, now is the good time to show up and save me?”

This was a total lie. The only hardships Ronnie had experienced on his trip were malnutrition and dehydration.

“Well, I was going to bring you some food, but I’m having doubts about that!”

This was the sweetest thing anybody had ever done for him. Ronnie

could barely resist the urge to hug the little guy.

“Let’s just go together and see how it works out.”

They then traveled off into the distance, best friends on a journey, when suddenly…

“You know what, little leprechaun? I don’t think we need the cookies. We’ve got each other, and that’s all that matters!”

“Yeah!” the leprechaun agreed. “But should we just go back the way we came?”

Before he could finish his sentence, a bright glow softened their backs. The rainbow shone dimly ahead of them.

“Hey, Ron. If the rainbow is shining on us, then what’s behind us?”

The answer to that question never came, but it was filled with satisfaction, deliciousness, and, best of all, chubbiness. And, as the saying goes, they all lived happily ever after.