A student inquired: "Did J.R.R. Tolkien like ponies?"

Well... let's say it was a strained relationship. Tolkien was, of course, very knowledgeable about ponies. He spoke three of their languages (Lower, Upper and Old Whinny) and often greeted them when he passed their paddocks during his morning marathon. But they seldom replied. The truth is, they were bitter because they could not hold Tolkien's books with their hooves without tearing the pages.