Times of Glory: The Rat and His Brother

3 Another: The Rat and His Brother

I'll tell you another:

The Rat and his Brother.

Whatever happened to those mice, held fast in giant's hand?

When giant fell, they did as well, quite near the Farmer's land

But being blind from cinders, and with no sense of direction

They had to go by ear and feel, and stumble on correction

It wasn't long before the Farmer's Wife came through the door

Within her hand – a carving knife meant to prepare some meat

Which she had gotten from the Butcher not too long before -

And when the mice had heard the door, they scurried quick to greet!

For when one stumbles blind

He tends to quickly find

His own defeat...

The Hen’s Revenge

The Hen screamed as she saw them, "Thief! A Thief! My Husband come!"

The mice thought they could placate, but the Hen knew who they were.

So when they gathered close, she grabbed their tails to suspend them!

Then cut their little tails right off, intent next on their fur!!

. . . They should really thank the timing of that old Rooster.

The Rooster Crows

Shiver shiver, quiver quiver, Oh you little mouse

For you realize that you are upon the Farmer's house

And as the Farmer came around and saw the little mice

His anger burned - He raised his hand, and slapped each rodent twice!

But as he noted these 3 little mice without their tails

Blind, and hurt, and scared, and squeaking out their little wails

He turned his head to see his wife, who offered slight a sigh

She’d not known that the 3 were blind, it made her want to cry

The Rooster glared a fatherly glare and flicked each on the forehead

"Why be it ye stole 'r beans? What be it ye intended?"

"We're sorry," said Hunter

"We were hungry," lied Joker

"We heard of treasure," said Pan

The Rooster sighed, "That bowl's 'r pride, and thaer beans had a plan.

But, ah... to be young aga'n..."

He eyed them very crossly. "Look at ye - So pale and thin.

A Mouse without a tail be like a Cock without an Hen

Yer not like any Mice I've seen, And ne'er shall ye be Men!"

Direction

And for a while longer, they were lectured and admonished

But as the Farmer spoke, his wife went back inside

And when she returned, what she brought found them all astonished

For she carried what the Farmer claimed to be 'their pride'

A bowl, as white as ivory:

"'Twas meant for our children, but we won't see that day,

Since ye need cross the waters, this might help ye on yer way"

Said Farmer, "Travel carefully."

"Why across the water," Hunter asked, "And… we can keep-?"

"Never ye mind 'bout the bowl," said Farmer. "Find BoPeep.

If yer tails be reattached, that's the maiden ye must snatch.

But I hear she's been Far Away, still lookin' for 'er sheep."

Sailing

3 Sailors went to Sea - See Sea

To see what they could See - Sea See

But all that they could See - See See

Was the bottom of the deep blue Sea Sea Sea!

Oh Ladies of the Waters - Oh Ocean's lovely Daughters

Will you listen? For I make a plea

I must go Far Away now - but I don't know the way how

Would you take my vessel carefully?

Great be the beloved of the Sea...

Fortune on their side, they traveled with their pride

There inside the Farmer's precious bowl

Oh brothers grasp your tails - and with each other, sail

And don't forget the value that you hold

To Far Away Shores

Embark on Far Away shores!

Go out ahead and explore!

But as a guess, it might be best

If sense you don't ignore!!

3 young brothers, stumbled dark

For they’d been used to sight

Two years passed since they embarked

To tell BoPeep their plight

And by this time, they'd learned to live -

The eldest hunts for food

And out of pity one might give

The jokester something good

The youngest likes to play his pipe

And earns himself a penny

And while they hate, they do not gripe

Though execrations many

Gold’s Call

Ding Dong Dell!

Hear the Golden Bell!

A Golden Goose for Glory

And a Golden House to sell!

Gold you say!?

Hurry, lead the way!

For the one who lives there

Shines as brightly as the Day!

The brothers set out to check on the news

Spreading through tulgy wood

Perhaps some excess Gold they might use?

And if that be so… they should!

Glory is Far Away

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall

Who is fairest of them all?

Knock knock at the door, milady

Shall we turn them 'way?

Not so, let us have them in

May it be some fun begin

They seem to be rather shady...

Perfect! Have them stay!

Glory was to be a Queen, since the White Queen died

She was a wonder to be seen, it could not be denied

And she was powerful indeed – a Golden house attracts all greed

Once in, none could get away not even if they tried.

3 brothers came in at the door, still blind, though wearing smiles

Oh Happy to meet her once more! (Yes, happy for their guiles)

But she could see them out and through – and she knew exactly what she’d do

She'd make toys of these ones too, to play with for a while!

A Plea to Glory

"What can I do for you, adorable dears?"

Hunter and Joker pondered the Gold...

But Pan piped up, "We've been blind for two years!"

And the story of their lost tails did unfold.

"I see," said Glory. "Ah... you've reminded

Me of some wonderful days now ended....."

She shook her head. "So!" she clapped. "You need tails re-binded

And for your eyes, you'd like them mended?"

"You can do that?" asked Hunter

"You would do that?" asked Joker

Said Pan, "I'm glad that we’re befriended!"

Glory chuckled. "Ah but I can give you something better –

I have made a potion that can well-enhance your being

It makes lightning sharper, armor thicker, roses redder –

And of course you'll never again have a problem seeing."

"You can do that?" asked Hunter

"You would do that?" asked Joker

Said Pan, "Is this on sale?"

"For this simple task," said Glory, "I'll just need your tail."

"Our tails??" said the brothers

Glory shrugged, "Or find others

who can do the things I do-"

"No! Not at all! We thank you!"

Rats!

How can a mouse be something great?

If you mean something different…

Just take his prided tail away

Then knot and turn and twist it

And... Voila! Just like that!

You have got yourself a Rat!

Pan became the Piper with a wooden flute to play

Hunter is a Thief who can steal even hearts away

Joker now can change his face to whatever he would be

And so they went to get their bowl and sail across the sea

Another Story…

Three large Rats went to sea in a bowl

If the bowl had been stronger, my story'd be longer.

Water’s Mischief

Dear Ladies of the Waters -- oh Ocean's fickle daughters --

May save or drown the ones that fall inside

These 3 Rats should remember, just how lucky was this venture --

That all they really hurt was just their pride.

Though these 3 the Waters did divide.

Joker now to Nearby come!

Piper to the Mermaid's Glen –

Thief go back to Far Away,

And steal the hearts of fair women!