by Gail Farrelly

Enjoy this fun little St. Patrick’s Day spoof previously published at TheSpoof.com.

When Mars rover Curiosity sent back images of soil with sparkling flecks in it, at first NASA scientists were stumped. But they kept on digging. Finally, they were able to explain those sparkles. The scientists came to the inescapable conclusion that it was gold dust that had been left on Mars by leprechauns.

Ain’t science grand?

At a press conference yesterday, NASA scientists made their case, providing a list of clues to prove their claims:

–Teeny tiny footprints were observed in the Mars soil. The footprints had spots of green on them and they were clearly made by mini boots!

–In one of the photographs of the suspect soil, a pale, but indescribably beautiful rainbow can be seen.

–In the latest photo of Curiosity, the Mars rover is now sporting a gigantic green bow decorated with shamrocks, green carnations and a huge banner– “Happy 101st, Irish Eyes.” Huh? Read on.

–When NASA scientists tuned in to the special listening devices they had installed on Curiosity, they were startled at the transmission they heard directly from Mars. A recording of the song, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” (that fantastic tune, published in 1912– yep, 101 years ago!).

Okay then, banner mystery solved. And Martians are Irish. Who knew?

More of Gail’s short stories, and many others, can be found in our Terrific Tales section and more St. Patrick’s Day short stories in this issue.

Gail Farrelly writes mystery novels and short stories. She also publishes satire pieces at http://www.thespoof.com/. Her next book, LOL: 100 Comic Cameos on Current Events, will be published this year. Gail’s short stories, “The Christmas Exception” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” are available for sale at Untreed Reads, on the Kindle, and at eBook retailers throughout the world. She also has a story, “They e-Done Him Wrong,” in the 2012 Untreed Reads Thanksgiving anthology, The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Second Helping. Gail is working on her fourth mystery novel, The Virtual Heiress.