The Tale of the Tail

Long, long ago, in the days when the land was new and pixies still tied knots in sheeps' tails and tangled the manes of horses at night, the Corgi was the steed of choice for the nightly rides of the Queen of the Fairies.   Both Pembrokes and Cardigans had long, flowing tails and would wag them brightly as they trotted along.

One night, after a long day of herding, a Pembroke Corgi decided that enough was enough.....he would rather sleep than be decked with flowers and carry the Queen.   When she arrived, he snuggled deeper into his bedsack and refused to open his eyes.   The fairies poked him and prodded him until he heaved a great sigh and sat up.

"I don't want to go out tonight", he complained.   "I am tired and grumpy and I want to sleep!   Find another steed for your evening ride."   And, with that, he put his ears back and, with a steely glint in his eye, refused to move.

The fairies cajoled, they pleaded, they ordered, they threatened, they bribed, they yelled.....but all to no avail.   The Pemmie had made up his mind, and nothing was going to change it.

Finally, in anger, the Queen stomped her tiny feet, tossed her beautiful hair, and shouted out a terrible curse:   "I will bind your tail to the ground with my magic, so that you are trapped.   You will never be free until you agree to become my slave, and to be ridden whenever I desire!"

Now this did not please the Corgi one bit!   He swore a might oath to never give in to threats, and began to tug and pull.   But alas, his tail was stuck fast to the ground, and he was stuck to his tail!!  

He pulled and pulled, and heaved and heaved and finally pulled loose......but

His tail was stuck fast to the ground, and there it remained!   He had pulled his tail right off!

And so, to this day, the Pembroke Corgi has no tail, as a reminder of the dog who defied the Queen of the Fairies.   And, like any other good Welshman, he is still proud, willful and unintimiated by threats or cursing!