Aprocrypha

"Tunc praecurrit comis..."

Years ago, St. Jerome--
Don't give me that look!
I'm NOT off the subject
and this is NOT a shaggy dog story
(though there IS a dog in it)

I'm trying to tell you
(You want the truth
and you want it "Gospel"
but you take me "Apocryphal"
before I even start)--

lied, but he didn't really.
(and neither did I.
It's just some times
the truth needs a little help)

Hey, hear me out!
You see, long ago
(Whether it happened or not
is NOT the issue,
though right now that IS the issue)

this guy, Tobias*, went on an errand
and he brought along his dog
(No he was NOT shaggy)
and he met an angel
(well, this MIGHT be true)

Wait! here's the important part.
You see, years later
poor St. Jerome is translating
this story into the vulgar tongue
and he can't find out
what happened to the dog.

So honest Saint Jerry
(falling into the translators temptation)
CORRECTED the Holy Bible
and said the dog came back too.

Now that wasn't in the Greek
and so that wasn't the Truth.
but it wasn't a lie either, get it!
It just HAD to be true.

I mean, what happened to the DOG?
See, these things just happen.
Even the word of God
might need editing,
sometimes.

"The dog which was at that time on the way with them and like a messenger come against Tobit and celebrated with his tale." (with his tail?) "Tobit" chapter 11