Ichabod is confident that the list of qualities on his r?sum? will certainly prove him to be a ?far better catch? for Katrina?s hand than any of the riffraff in Sleepy Hollow. However, there is one Tarrytown man who will not be easily pushed aside. His name is Brom Bones, the village Blacksmith, whose years of hard labour have sculpted him into an imposing figure. Brom is also the town arm-wrestling champ and Tarrytown?s greatest storyteller. His boisterous voice has been known to entertain the Tarrytown villagers ?til the early hours of the morning. But with all his storytelling skills, Brom has yet to convince Katrina that he?s the man for her.

While putting the finishing touches on his r?sum? at Knickerbocker?s Apple Cider Tavern, Ichabod tries to ignore the whimsical antics of Brom arm-wrestling one of the Sleepy Hollow Boys. But when Brom decides to tell one of his famous stories, even Ichabod can?t help but be drawn into the fantastic tale.

?Last night, on my way home from this very establishment ? I was attacked by a grizzly bear!?

This brash statement doesn?t escape the scrutiny of Claus, the tavern owner. ?Awe go on, Brom! You got jumped by a griz? You?re joshin?!?

?Who said ?a? griz? What?d ya think I am? A sissy?! One griz wouldn?t even be good sport! ... I?m talkin? about two grizzly bears!?

Not wanting to miss a single detail, everyone slides in closer.

?All of a sudden I felt the hot, terrible breath of them beasts at the back of my neck. I spun ?round and next thing I know, all four of them were on me!?

Although not the brightest candle in Sleepy Hollow, this discrepancy doesn?t escape Doffue, ?Um, hold on a minute there, Brom. I thought you said there was two griz??

Brom barely hesitates with an answer. ?That?s right, I did: two on m?left and two on m?right!?

Brandi, a young Tarrytown maiden, flutters her eyelashes and swoons, ?Good heavens Brom, what did you do then??

Brom is quick to respond. ?Glad you asked! First, I threw one of my famous knuckle sandwiches! Then, I spun around and I grabbed another grizzly bear?s leg and started pullin? on it!? Everyone, including Ichabod, is hanging on Brom?s every word.

?Then what did ya do?? blurts Charlie. ?Nothing,? responds Brom as he takes a sip of his cider. ?Nothing? What do ya mean, nothing?? asks Claus.

?I mean nothin?! Even a grizzly bear knows when you?re just pulling his leg,? exclaims Brom.

After a few moments of silence, the room explodes with laughter as everyone realises that Brom has been pulling ?their? leg too. Ichabod can?t believe that he allowed himself to be drawn into the story just as much as the others.

?Harrumph! I fail to see the humour in your fantastic and wild tale,? Ichabod boldly states. ?Actually, your story is illogical. I saw through it immediately.?

No one in Tarrytown questions Brom Bones, and Brom is not about to let this puffed-up-stranger call him a liar!

Brom approaches Ichabod, who immediately begins to back away. Eager to teach this ?fancy-pants? a lesson, Brom chases Ichabod around the tables, back and forth ? side-to-side. Ichabod barely manages to keep a table between himself and Brom?s heated advance. Finally, Brom has had enough of this game and starts to climb over a table in order to pummel Ichabod, when a woman?s voice stops him in his tracks.

?Brom Bones!? shouts Katrina Van Tassel. ?Why do men always have to compete? What are you trying to prove??

Brom sits down at the nearest table, flexing his arm, challenging Ichabod to join him in an arm-wrestling contest. ?Brawn!? Brom says confidently, winking at Katrina. But surprisingly, Ichabod doesn?t back down. He locks arms with Brom and smiles arrogantly at Katrina, ?Brains!?

The battle begins and Brom easily begins to pull Ichabod?s trembling arm down. But under the table Ichabod uses his other hand to slam the tip of his walking cane forcefully onto Brom?s toe. Brom?s arm immediately drops to the table as he grabs his foot in pain.

Unaware of Ichabod?s trickery, the whole tavern is stunned! Ichabod steals not only the match, but also the attention of Katrina ? giving Brom a bruised ego to go along with his throbbing toe.

Having reviewed Ichabod?s r?sum?, Katrina?s parents, Baltus and Dame Van Tassel, are impressed by his list of qualities. They quickly come to the conclusion that the newcomer to Tarrytown is not only fit to be the new Schoolmaster, but their son-in-law as well.

Later that day, Ichabod arrives at the Van Tassel mansion. Much to his surprise, he is welcomed with open arms by Katrina?s parents. Little does he know that they have already decided that he is the man for their precious Katrina. Ichabod is seated in Baltus? favourite chair and treated like royalty by the servants who serve him mouth-watering cakes and tea.

It is not long before Ichabod feels right at home. He is confident that Katrina and the Van Tassel estate are soon to be his. But there is more to winning a woman?s heart than a fancy r?sum? ?

To be continued?

Next Week: What?s in a Name? For further information and additional educational opportunities, go to www.timelesstales.org