Times of Glory chapter 2 : A Story About Jack and Glory

2. A Story About Jack and Glory

I'll tell you a story

About Jack and Glory…

And Now Their Story’s Begun…

Once were 3 little mice who ran around the town and through

The town – by name of Hamelin – would tell these mice to shoo!

Yet the mice were a minor nuisance

stealing only one or two cents

From rich pockets now and then, and that was all they'd do

Once an old Farmer and his Wife – a Rooster and his Hen –

Met a woman whom her life spent in a hollow den

This strange woman in that hole

within that hill, she owned a bowl

Since the couple caused no strife, she gave that bowl to them.

A Lion and a Unicorn were brothers of a girl

And every smile she put on had meant to them the world.

Every day, they would compete

to see which brother she would greet

Finding treasures she could own – Gold, Silver, gem, and pearl.

A young boy by the name Jack Jelf, could not spell the word "pie"

His mother put him on a shelf and there he'd sit and cry

And should it be a Sunny Day,

that he want to go out and play,

It often would be just himself, while others passed him by.

The Bid for Glory

Glory, Glory, what a name! It fits you perfectly!

For every man in all the land Would fight for you with glee!

At each and every morning come,

Your Radiance outshines the Sun

Ask and you’ll find anyone would love you gratefully.

Jack, dear Jack, oh what a shame,

Come watch this awkward boy!

To think he could win Glory's hand by some courageous ploy.

Men have come from all around

To gather in this humble town

Hoping to be someday bound by lovely lady coy.

But odd as every oddness be, Glory's eyes did follow Jack.

Laughing, they go over there – holding hands, come over back.

The Bowl

There is a bowl -- The Toymaker made it

By magic and comic delight.

In went a little boy -- and out came a giant!

He gave many children a fright!

Whatever goes in, will surely come out

And whatever comes out will grow

The longer you stay, the larger you'll be -

That boy stayed five years in a row!!

The Giant

A large boy lives up in the Sky, awaiting his Mother, up there so high

Everyone else was scared away, so he makes pottery each day

And he will sit in Skyfish Glen, with a pie baked just for him -

And he will feed and he will hold his pet Goose with her eggs of Gold

He will forget his Silver Bell, with which his Mother wished him well

And in this way, wait her return

Anyone else, this boy will spurn.

The Mice and Jack

3 mice, acquaintances of Jack, followed him for his strength

And though academics he lack, his kindness went good length

As a young man, kind Jack could carry

two full grown men up a hill!

He would not sweat, he would not tarry doing much work with good will.

One day, as the mice were out, a Butcher passed them by

With vegetables, he went his route, and said, "Well, My oh My!"

"Well my!" he said, "Well oh my soul!"

(the mice ducked quickly round a bend)

"To think they own a magic bowl, that Rooster and that Hen!

And bless me if it isn’t true that those 3 beans inside

Would lead one to the Potter's Goose whose Gold eggs are his pride!"

The mice conspired with each other – Hunter, Joker, Pan.

"Let's get that Gold," said Hunter, "We'll live like merry Men!"

Said Joker, "We will need more strength."

Said Pan, "Then let's get Jack!"

For little Pan liked that young man –

Though Joker laughed. "That 'Hack'!"

Jack Trusts the Mice

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy

If all he does is work and play, our Jack will surely be

A very sadly boy for you and silly toy for me!

Where be Jack?

He's in the field, again

3 mice be looking for him

With beans stolen from a Hen

Where be Hen?

Unconscious on the floor

A frying pan had met her head

When she answered the door.

Lured in by tales of Gold, kind Jack followed the mice

Out into a field they went to plant their magic beans...

"Keep the Golden Goose for Glory, Jack," was their advice

"We only need a dozen eggs, to live as fat as Kings~"

But what great lies from these little things.

And what great things from these little lies.

If you ought to be a King, do not think the mouse is wise

Climbing

And have you ever climbed a beanstalk? Have you, my dear friend?

Let me tell you, if I may – come now, your ear to lend.

Are you prepared for me to say? This secret you must guard:

It's. Hard.

Fairweather

All work and no play makes Jack a little dull

Yet one cannot but to admit, his strength is like a bull

For when the mice are tired… they just cling and let him pull!

You do all the work my friend, and I'll keep all the find

Because you're very nice, my friend, so I know you won't mind

Arrival

Up in the clouds, a Monstrous Potter

Keeps his giant sword for slaughter

Never shall a person pass

To go beyond the Sky

Four-score and twenty years a-many

There alone, a friend not any

He shall watch the Skyfish splash

And play up there so high

It’s a fairly good arrangement for a Potter with derangement

Who is thankfully asleep, when into the house they creep –

Their minds began to wander, their hearts began to pound

Each moment's breath felt longer - may he stay asleep so sound…

As imagination flew,

Scared eyes knew not what they should do.

Perhaps the pie upon the sill

Was made out of his latest kill...?

And if that sword came crashing down,

Surely it would split the town!

Yet as they scanned around they found their dreams might just come true…

I spy with my little eye –

The Golden Goose is sitting by!!

"Hurry!" urged Joker.

"Come quickly," said Hunter.

“Softly…” hissed Pan as they moved.

Jack came along and followed the brothers,

Until they arrived at the Goose.

"That Goose is quite a size," said Jack.

Said Pan, "Then help us bring it back."

But as Jack reached the Goose of Gold, a shimmer did distract him

Away there by the fireplace, a Silver Bell attract him...

Why stop you for a Silver Bell

When have you all this Gold?

Which do you think would make fair maiden

Happiest to hold?

Unless it to be sold...??

The Fumble

As Jack ran with the Goose in hand to get the Silver Bell

The fireplace was much too hot for the bird to be near

Jack pressed on, it all went wrong – the Goose it fussed and fell –

"Forget that hack," said Joker. "I've the Goose! Let's out of here!"

But Jack was nimble, Jack was quick, and he secured the Bell.

Then used his other hand to scoop a great serving of coals!

No second thoughts, he threw the coals – the mice, they yelped and fell!

For those 3 mice would leave him there and take off with his Gold!

Alas, the coal was much to hot

As it was thrown, the mice were caught

The Pledged Revenge

The mice screamed out in pain, for it had got into their eyes

"I'll kill you!" promised Joker. "Better run now while you can!"

As Jack neared the Goose that he might take off with his prize

Hunter took a swing at him, for burning little Pan.

But while they fought, the Monstrous Potter rose out of his bed

"Who are these little rodents in my house!?" the giant said.

Jack said, "Well I am not a mouse!"

He took the Goose and ran.

Consequences

The mice were blind, and could not see. They tried to hide, they tried to flee

The Potter's shouts made thunder gasp

And soon each mouse was in his grasp

"Where be my Goose?" roared the giant. "Lest I squeeze out your life!"

"It's with Jack, who's climbing down the beanstalk!" squeaked the mice.

Down the beanstalk! Down it fast!

Run, Jack, Run!

To the shed to get an axe!

Quick, Jack, Quick!

Back again and hack again!

Jack has won!

Down fell the Monstrous Potter

With a topple teeter totter

and a CRASH!!

The little mice are still in hand

All hazy dazy dizzy

from the clash

Jack Has Won

Hip Hooray! Oh Frabjous Day!

A Golden Goose for Glory!

Hurry Jack to bring it back

Let's have a Wedding Story!

Where be Glory?

She's on the highest hill.

The men compete each year for her

They're fighting for her still

Where be her Brothers?

Competing with the rest

No man shall claim their sister

'Til the brothers they can best.

But Look! Here's Jack! ... Will he pass the test?

Look at Jack, Look at Jack - Running down the way

With the Golden Goose for Glory, surely this will be the day!

I declare! Surely marriage!

Surely marriage, this I say!

… Surely marriage, this I say… ?

How incredible life can be

Baffling us with mystery

And Now, Their Story is Done.

Lovely Glory did accept the Golden Goose from Jack

With a smile, she declared, "Indeed, this is a gift.

But you know that I am 'Glory' – One thing you still lack

If you are to claim my hand, your prestige you must lift.

For who in Hamelin knows you as any more than a hack?"

Glory’s Reflection

This is Glory's Mirror

Mounted o'er the table here

This is Glory's Hair

Curling, waving, Golden, fair

These are Glory's lips

Red as cherries and rose tips

These are Glory's Eyes

Brown like earth, where beauty lies

This is Glory's Tear

It's not reflected in the Mirror.

Glory’s Brothers See To It

Glory with much, and Jack with none

Yet what he had he gave her –

So Jack went out, to gain prestige

That he might one day have her.

Meanwhile, Glory’s Brothers,

They could not believe their eyes!

Surely 'tweren't that oddly Jack

Who brought back such a prize?

Quickly! Find a better prize

To set before our sister's eyes!

Family

The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for a crown

The Lion beat the Unicorn all around the town

Some threw them white bread, some threw them brown

All helped to pack them up and send them out of town!!

The Brothers had to leave that day

Bags packed, they left for Far Away

But Glory won't be cast aside, for she is the people's pride

She will stay with them a year, then at last escape from here

To go and find her Brothers dear

… and live then by their side.

Dani Adams