Meet Joe

My grandfather was chief medical officer for the British Army of the Raj at the beginning of the last century. Apparently he performed a life-saving operation on a tribal chief who inhabited the mountainous region around the North West Frontier Pass.

As a token of his gratitude, the chief gave Grandfather this carving, which has always been referred to, very deferentially, as Joe.

Joe has ever since occupied a prominent position in the house, watching over the subsequent generations and guiding us on our journey through life. If he's smiling at you, that's very good.

If not...