The Dead Donkey

Father O’Malley was transferred to Ballina Catholic Church.

A few days after his arrival, he rose from his bed one morning and it was a fine spring day in his new parish.

He walked to the window of his bedroom to get a deep breath of the beautiful day outside.

He then noticed there was a donkey lying dead in the middle of his front lawn.

Not knowing who else to call, he promptly called the local garda station.

The conversation went like this:

''Good morning. This is Sergeant Jones. How might I help you?"

"And the best of the day to your good self my man.

This is Father O'Malley at St. Francis Xavier Church.

There's a donkey lying dead right in the middle of my front lawn "

Sergeant Jones, considering himself to be quite a wit, replied with a smirk,

"Well now Father, it was always my impression that you people took care of the last rites!"

There was deadly silence on the line for a long moment and then Father O'Malley replied:

"Ah, 'to be sure, that’s true; but we are also obliged to notify the next of kin."