Ask Marilyn

Readers, we offered you this challenge: Can you create a sentence of 26 words that each start with a different letter of the alphabet? About 2,000 of you responded, and the entries ranged from somewhat reasonable to downright hilarious. Interestingly, I believe that each one was unique! Following are the entries I judged best.

“After kindly chauffeuring my generally very jovial father to our nice, quiet regional hospital, X-rays were scheduled, possibly because drinking eight zombies likely upsets your intestines.”

–Ken Kaplan, Parsippany, N.J.

“Presumably, very early last year, in great haste, a clandestine ragtag xylophone septet quietly discussed joining forces with known members of the new undercover zither band.”

–Leslie O’Kelly, East Hampton, Conn.

“Our library is supposed to be a very quiet zone for everyone, however, unfortunately, your nutty kids just played xylophones with cacophonous results, disturbing me greatly.”

–Suzanne Bright, Coral Springs, Fla.

“Kindly quit screaming; my very excited zebra did not land correctly after jumping over the rugged hedges, but understand, I will gladly pay for your X-ray.”

–Ann Jeffries, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

“Porcupine quills have nasty barbs, and dogs encountering these rodents may face X-rays, veterinary intervention, or jagged, gory wounds, so keep your zany canine under leash.”

–Cathy Reed, Hemlock, N.Y.