Zaveol's Laundry
Zaveol = Zah' vu el

Zaveol threw a muddy orb
upon a vine of fresh washed clothes
He laughed to see the soil absorb
Then hid in thick primrose
Mistress of the cottage there
Saw the impish deed
Of wretched thorns she did not care
They’d not her wrath impede
She pulled him free in loud reproach
As citizens drew fast forth
To hear of how the lad encroached
Displaying roguish mirth
The village sounded counsel call
The meeting soon commenced
While sat the child against the wall
Awaiting consequence
It soon was deemed by those irate
from being victim of his pranks
the lad must rehabilitate
before rejoining ranks
To thrash the boy was opted not
No second sin for one commit
Some thought to banish be his lot
Yet others said confinement fit
Then from their midst there came a voice
All eyes fell on the speaking one
“It seems there be a single choice;
the child undo what he has done”
Sad Zavaol worked his penance well
With lathered hands he did repent
The boy though weary came to tell
The time and labor pleasant spent
He came to know community
In fellowship each day he stepped
Now with respect and dignity
his situation came adept
Forgotten soon the youthful spoils
A business built to serve the town
A skill he learned from contrite toils
That lay his boyhood down
Apprentices he never lacked
Most came with impish smirk
Hands too busy to infract
when put to wholesome work