One of my close friends – actually, a childhood friend – went out on an expedition.

He came back with the most amazing array of injuries; there were scorches all over his body, most of them serious second degree burns.

I had been forced to apply salve to them every two hours, and change the bandages every day.

I was astounded; where in the world had he acquired such wounds?

When I asked, his face went dull. His expression sank to the depths of despair and regret. He slumped down in the chair.

He opened his mouth to speak.

I thought he was going to tell me that he had been found by a mafia gang and doused in gasoline and set alight.

His answer completely befuddled me.

“I told a dragon a joke, and unfortunately for me, he laughed.”