In one of my desk references that I've had  since the 1970's and nearly worn out, Look It Up, by Rudolph Flesch, I found on a fly leaf that I have not looked at in years, the following lesson in economy of means. I clipped and saved this as a reminder to myself to tell the story without excessive embellishment!

A University creative writing class was asked to write a concise essay containing these four elements: religion, royalty, sex, & mystery.

The winning essay: "My God!" said the Queen.  "I'm pregnant.  I wonder who did it?" 

This has to be very old and maybe readers have heard it many years ago.  It is certainly a very creative (and  humorous!) way of responding to the assignment.  If you've seen it before, I hope it brings at least a smile of remembrnce.–Willma 9/22/09