THE DOG KING

You hear of towns from time to time appointing an animal as mayor.  Very understandable, when you consider some politicians.  The Danes, however, had a legend about a dog who became King of Denmark.  It seems King Eadgils of Sweden conquered Denmark and placed a small dog called Raki on the throne.  When he left for home, Eadgils said that whoever brought him tidings of Raki's death would be killed outright.  One day, Raki perceived some big dogs fighting.  Woof! Woof! he observed and joined in the fray, only to be torn to pieces.  Now the question arose as to who would tell King Eadgils.  Eventually a character named Snow was chosen.    Snow realized he would have to proceed with caution, so, when ushered in to King Eadgil's presence, he proceeded to ask him a number of riddles.  The answer to one of them was that the Dog King was dead and Eadgils uttered it.  His decree could not be set aside and King Eadgils was killed.  Satisfied with his mission, Snow returned to Denmark to be offered the Danish throne.