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The Tale of Tom
by Kimber Giedd
Far ago and long away a castle once did stand
Magic made the castle strong and fillled the distant land
A king who was a mighty ruler of castle, keep and tower
Never seemed to worry much, so strong was his power.
Now this king was strong, but fair and his people loved him true
There was little that he asked of them that his subjects wouldn't do.
But came the day when the king grew old, yet he didn't have a son.
Only a princess who couldn't rule, cuz it simply wasn't done.
So the king called all from far and near to listen to his plea
"I need a king to take my place and rule this land for me"
Just anyone whould not do, he had to be very strong and so true.
And marry the little princess who was so pure through and through.
Then, as you can guess, that many men came running to his side
Each wanting the title of the king and the princess for his bride.
But the king turned each away with a sigh and with a thought
Is there not one man in this kingdom who can not be bought.
Then came riding down the road, the hero on his steed
The one man in the kingdom not driven by his greed.
The hero's name has been forgot with the passing of time
But in this story we'll call him Tom cuz it's easier to rhyme.
Now Tom was true and good at heart, this the king could see
so he called down to his subjects "Tom will be king after me"
There were many men who cheered him, others cursed his name
And this is how our hero, Tom, got his claim to fame.
The day came when the old king died, and Good Tom took the throne
The new king and bride had just returned from their honeymoon.
Good Tom placed the crown upon his head and held it high.
His new queen tried to smile at him, but instead began to cry.
For she knew now that her Tom was king, he would have to battle
With the dragon who was on his way to attack the castle.
If Tom wanted to be king and all of the kingdom possess
He would have to fight the dragon til one had met his death.
When Tom heard of the drgaon who was threatening his land
He pulled on all his armor and kissed his queen's sweet hand.
He called to have his steed prepared to ride to face his foe
And while he was running down to mount, he tripped and broke his toe
But tom still went, with courage and a bravery seen in few
To ride and face the dragon fiend who'd just flown into view.
He held up straight and even, his lance of strongest steel.
But the dragon yet came onward, to make this town his meal.
All the men from far and near had gathered to see the fight.
And what a fight they got to see, it lasted into the night
But finally when dawn arose and brought light back to the land
They saw their Mighty Tom return with dragon's head in hand.
The cheer went up across the fields of people watching on
The challenge of the dragon had been faced by Tom the Strong.
His queen sat in the castle unaware her Tom had saved the day
When Tom came running up to her, she didn't know what to say.
The people from that day did follow Tom with pride
For Tom the mighty king did skin that evil dragon alive
His queen had many children who all grew healthy and hale
But of all the poor Queen's children, not a one of them was male.
I'd like to tell you all about how the story does end.
But to tell you that long tale of woe would be to start all over again.
By Kimber Giedd
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