Beneath the tree, adjacent to the flowing of water, the Darkest Knight had awoken refreshed.
Are you ready to return to the Hostel for the Homeless, where you must absorb all the terrors and worries of those who pass? Asked the Sphinx.
I am ready, my slate is wiped clean, replied the Darkest Knight.
At that time came along the not road, more a like track, a fellow in clothes all torn and tattered, his cloth over his head. He walked a walk that was not a walk, more a stumble or trip, so that each step was a falling. All the while looking back way he had came, as if chased by the dogs of war.
The Sphinx came by him and held him so that his legs were lifted from the stony ground and his head fell forwards and sideways.
Come lie in the shade of this tree adjacent to the moving water, she said.
Has the Wandering Rabbit gone? Asked the fellow in a whispery dry voice.
He has, said the Sphinx.
Thank goodness for that, said the swooning fellow, he talks such rubbish that it makes me feel even worse than I obviously.
What is your ail? Do not be concern by the Wandering Rabbit, we will shield you from its lethal ramblings.
You are kind good sir and er… Sphinx. My ailment is that I have had no food for twenty years and have had to live off stones and the occasional handful of gravel. Nice armour by the way and as for your tail, well, magnificent is the only word to do it justice.
Goodness me, said the Darkest Knight
The other problems that plague me, continued the Raggedy man, is that I can only walk in straight lines and look backwards
Goodness me, said the Darkest Knight, who was a very good listener.
Other than that I was fine, continued the Raggedy Man, Until that rabbit came by. I am a poet, to me words are precious and not to be meddled with. I did not appreciate its ramblings.
Tell me, good Raggedy Man, said the Sphinx, tell me how this straight line affliction came about.
Well, said the Raggedy Poet, taking off his and pulling back the hood of his raggedy cloak. I was lucky enough to be granted a boon by a Djinn for whom I had performed a service. As I was on a quest to find the truest word, I asked the Djinn to let me travel as straight as an arrow in the direction that I required. She said that this could be granted provided that I never looked back. I tried to bargain with her, saying that, as a Poet, it was my duty to look back. At this she swirled angrily and said, OK then, a straight line and always looking back and disappeared. Since then, you see me as I am.
Goodness me, said the Darkest knight, and have you found the truest word and achieved your quest?
No, said the Raggedy Man
That’s a shame, said the Darkest Knight
No, the truest word is ‘No,’ said the Raggedy man, it turns out to be the word with the most profound truth, it means nothing more than ‘no’. I am in the process of writing a eulogy to the word no. In my head of course, as I have no pen and paper. I was on a roll when that cursed rabbit tried to engage me in discussions of language theory.
Can we hear what you have fashioned thus far? Asked the Sphinx
No, said the Raggedy Man.
That’s a shame, said the Darkest Knight.
No, is the first word of the poem, said the Raggedy Man seeming impatient, if you settle and keep shtum for a moment I shall relate.
The Raggedy Man related:
No you can’t, no, you can’t, no I didn’t, no it isn’t, no, no, not at all, no, no, no.
That’s as far as I’ve got so far, I’m afraid. Some kind of writing materials would really help.
That’s lovely, said the Sphinx, I look forwards to the completion of your poem with anticipation. Tell me, what do you see as you look back.
I see my life spread away back through the time. When I was once a young Ragged Rascal, to the time when I was born a baby in tattered swaddling.
So, you are the Ragged Rascal all grown. If it please, let you tell the story of the Ragged Rascal and your Running about the Rugged Rocks, which is known as so fame.
Let you settle by this shaded tree, and I shall relate, said the Raggedy Man.
The Guardians of the Cave 