And now, a pun

It was the fifth day of the second month in Alluria, and by tradition the great and generous Tarm would be visiting each village, bringing gifts of food and clothing. The watchmen were in the towers, waiting to give the signals to open the gates, and the peasants were waiting with bated breath. The atmosphere was one of excitement and gaity.

Suddenly, the watch bell chimed, a resounding GLAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNGGGGG, and the crowds excitedly thronged the main street, eager to catch a glimpse of the great and generous Tarm. Breaths were held, and voices hushed in anticipation, all except one, that of an old man from somewhere in the back of the crowd, obstinately saying, "It ain't him yet!" The old man was shushed, and the crowd waited, until the gates opened to reveal...a merchant and his entourage, coming to trade his wares at the next market day.

The crowd dispersed quietly, and the old man sat in his chair, rocking and muttering quietly to himself.

Moments later, the watch bell chimed out again, GLAAAAAAANNNNNNGGGGG and the peasants again flocked to the main street, expectantly waiting. Again the old man's voice piped up from the back of the crowd: "It ain't him! It ain't him, it ain't him!" Again he was shushed, and the crowd waited, as the gates were opened to reveal...a messenger from a neighboring village asking if the Tarm had yet passed this way. He was sent on his way with a negative response, and the crowds began to disperse.

As the people wandered away, they heard the old man saying, "Don't wander too far now, he'll be here in a few minutes." Some gave him no heed, and others swore at him under their breath, but a few hung around to see if he was right.

Almost an hour passed before the bell chimed out again, GLAAAAAAAAANNNNNNGGGGG! Once more the crowds gathered, with a slightly subdued air, and this time, from the back of the crowd the old man was heard cackling, "He's here! He's here!" He was once more shushed, and the crowd stood waiting while the gates were dragged open for the third time, to reveal...the great and generous Tarm!

The crowds cheered, hats were thrown, money was tossed to the waiting crowds, and the air of revelry increased threefold.

As impromptu parade wound its was to the heart of town, the old man sat on his chair and chuckled to himself. One onlooker paused briefly and asked, "How did you know it was him?"

"I tell people every year! When it comes to gettin' a parade together, the third chime's a Tarm!"