Why did I go back to the Bannock? I answer myself with grumbling and mutterring as I walk reluctantly to the fires I see burning in the distance.

"You had to try for more luck, didn't you? It wasn't enough to have misfortune never catch up, you wanted fame and riches and now..." I kick a tree stump particularly hard and promptly set up a howl from the pain in my nearly ingrown, big toenail.

"I mean REALLY!" I shake my fist at the Bannock and approach the fires. Everyone is standing around looking serious. Oh boy. They're REALLY gonna love this. *sigh* I work up my nerve and get a running start. As I leap over the first flame I yell out to the crowd, "Pardon me! Don't mind me, really. The Bannock made me do it. It's a challenge you see?"

The faces of the people can only be described as disbelieving as I circle around for the second jump. This time I decide to hold my rump -- that first pass was awfully hot! I make a real jack-be-nimble of myself and, "OUCH!" My fingers got a little singed with that one!

Now people are starting to get a wee bit angry at what they see as my disrespect for the Beltaine fires. I make ready to start the last pass and call out as cheerfully as I can, "Please don't be angry, friends! That crazy Bannock sent me on this task!" I clear the fire a final time and go in search of a drink. I'm no spring chicken, you know! As I start to walk away I see some of the bystanders coming at me with a big barrell. "Hey wait, guys! That's really not neces -- OWWWWW! Oh! EEEEEeeeeeep! My butt! ARGH! My rear end!" I begin to hop in circles and as I do the people throw the entire contents of the barrel at me -- effectively quenching the flames and going a long way to sooth the burning blisters on my behind.

Walking back to my cottage I curse myself for a fool. NEVER try to coax fortune out of the Bannock. Take what you can get the first time 'round and don't look back!