Masonry Ala Carte

Let me spin a yarn, ol’ Pertwee went,

Of Shaw the ubiquitous gent;

He and Tuppy the Terrier,

In Cottage Sunnyvale lived on rent.

A content man in every way,

Not a rude word you’d hear him say.

If you met him on your way,

You’d surely get a happy ‘good-day’.

Mrs. Godfrey would come in,

Once a day to cook for him.

She baked a handsome cake they said,

But her repertoire was limited.

A Heavenly smell would emanate,

When Shaw and Tuppy sat to ate.

But crane your neck to have a look-see,

The menu consisted of only Three.

Not that Shaw minded one bit,

Years together he did gladly eat.

Mrs. Godfrey’s ala carte,

Even Tuppy had ceased to smart.

Once a month he went away,

To travel down Masons’ Way.

A similar scene and a restful walk,

And back home to his cosy ark.

Then one day when it was spring,

The skinny gent began to think.

Would a change in scene and air,

Heavily weigh on my care?

He sauntered down to the agency,

And booked himself and of course, Tuppy.

He packed his bags and all his ware,

And check listed with utmost care.

And as the sun rose next day,

Shaw and Tuppy were on their way.

They had a pleasant trip,

Travelling gave him quite a fillip.

They arrived at the Jacob’s Inn,

Unloaded their luggage and went right in.

It was noon and the time was right,

For a gentleman to have a bite.

He went to lunch but was shocked to see,

On the menu were Thirty-Three!

It took him a while to sit and scour,

And then he ordered Item Four.

The taste was a thrill, a ride,

Even Tuppy was satisfied.

Then and there young Shaw thought,

I’ll stay a month and taste the lot!

He tried them one every day,

And each meal convinced him to stay.

Mason he was, a cautious one,

He never ordered more than one.

He savoured the taste of each new dish,

Enjoyed them with equal relish.

He tried them once, he tried them all,

And learnt to cook them overall.

V.W. Bro. Ambarish Singh Roy, P.Dy.G.Reg, P.Dy.RGM