As a public school teacher, I would have flunked my student’s effort if he or she were to turn in such a fantastical story that had so many climaxes and alien concepts. Not that there were actually any aliens in Neil Gaiman‘s story but there were jungle gods, pirates, wumpires (no, not vampires), dinosaur cops and ponies (because the main character’s daughter requested for them).   "Fortunately The Milk" was a fast-paced, delightful read in which the narrator - a daddy of two children - explained why he came home late after buying a packet of milk. I’m glad for the role reversal - it’s the dad who is spinning a tall tale while his children remain sceptical and keep asking probing questions as to the legitimacy of the tale. Yes, don’t accept everything at face value, children, not even your dad’s explanation.   Neil Gaiman must have had a great time writing this. Not only did he play around with language by substituting the letters ‘v’ and ‘w’ for certain words, but he wrecked havoc on the space-time continuum. Imagining the narrator from 15 minutes in the past or future (I can’t remember which) coming to rescue the present narrator out of a sticky situation. And the idea of the world exploding because of two packets of milk touching each other - I shall not divulge more for fear of spoiling your enjoyment. Read this and feel your mind suspend disbelief.