The Oldie

READERS’ LETTERS

Blackie’s real story

SIR: I must applaud William Cook (Who was Blackie the donkey?, October issue) in maintaining the tradition of never allowing the facts to mar a good story. Don Mackay arrived at Jarandilla de la Vera first, not in the wake of Hugh Whittow of the Sun.

Don and his bilingual monkey (slang for photographer) were greeted by a large group of youths calling into question the parentage of the whole of Fleet Street and threatening to kill the English.

Don, a man slightly more Scottish than a Cairngorm, understanding the mood, immediately put up his hands and shouted, ‘Glasgow Rangers.’ He was then taken to the bosom of the town and bought Blackie from his owner, certificated by the local Mayor.

In gratitude, Don recommended that all the farmers in the area sell anything with four. He then retired to the local bar with his new friends and they watched Her Britannic Majesty’s press crawl through the olive groves trying to beat each other to the donkey.

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