Yesterday’s little post put me in mind of a story I heard many moons ago.

Mary and Bridie were two old widows who lived in the Caha Mountains in South West Cork.

One day, they travelled to Bantry to visit the market there.

As they walked the town square, which was bustling with local traders selling their produce, they passed by a cart that was heaped with freshly dug carrots. Bridie burst into tears.

“What is it? What is the matter, Bridie?” asked Mary.

“It’s that carrot on the top. It reminds me of my Paddy. God rest his soul.”

The carrot in question was a fine specimen. It was over a foot long and nearly two inches in diameter. Mary was impressed.

“May he rest in peace, ” she said, and then whispered “Is it the size of it?”

“Noooo” wailed Bridie.

“Well, is it the length of it?”

“Noooo” wailed Bridie.

“The width of it?”

“Noooo” wailed Bridie.

Mary was baffled. “What is it about it then?”

“It’s the dirt of it” wailed Bridie.