[MR] A terrible calamity!

[Marc]

Dear friend,

We hope this letter finds you well. As for ourselves, such misfortune 
has befallen us! We had thought to spend a season catching fish in 
the Misty Mountains (we know of a very good hole there!) But we met 
with a nasty thief who tricked us. He trapped us into a riddle-game 
and then, he stole our birthday present. Our precious birthday 
present! And when we tried to go to find it, awful Men came and 
caught us, and gave us to the Elves to keep in a prison. How we 
suffered! The Elvish bonds, they burned! They bit! They froze us!

With the help of some kind friends of yours we escaped, but now we 
wander all lost and alone over the hard rocks and stones of the Brown 
Lands. We wish you could send a Nazgul or two to help us find that 
thief and get us back our precious. Or failing that, some Orcs. Or at 
least a Warg, with his keen, keen nose, keener than even ours. Yes.

So we conclude our sad letter asking for whatever help a kind friend 
like yourself can give us. We hope you will bear our suffering and 
injustice in mind and keep an Eye out for that nasty, tricksy thief 
and our precious, precious birthday present.

So sadly and hungrily yours,

Your Friend