The Man of Ease

There once was a Man from a far-off land,

Who left his humble home behind.

He ventured forth into the wild,

With a long, lost treasure to find.

Nary a rock struck his foot,

Nor bead of sweat stung his eye,

As he traveled ‘cross the wilderlands.

He would not be denied!

He came upon a river raging,

Fierce power it commanded.

Hardy boatmen huddled near the shore,

The deluge had them stranded.

Their boat lay ashore beside them,

Beaten fore to aft.

Still, the Man hailed, “Sirs, I’d be obliged

To use your watercraft.”

The boatmen were dumbfounded

At the request that had been made.

Did this foolish Man fail to see

The violence of the waves?

One wicked man stepped forward,

Heart blackened through and through.

“My friend,” he said with fiendish grin,

“We’ll lend our boat to you.”

This ghoulish soul determined

Amusement he’d derive,

From watching the Man be battered

By the unforgiving tide.

“Many thanks!” our hero cried.

“Though I find your manner queer,

I will be pleased to use your craft

To make my way from here.”

Turning bow to face the churning waves

The Man kicked off the shore.

The boatmen laughed amongst themselves,

They knew what was in store.

No sooner had the boat passed through

The river’s shallow side,

The raging rivers came to peace

And gentle was the tide.

The boatmen stood with jaws agape:

The water did not impede.

To speak the truth, it seemed to shift

And give the boat a swifter speed!

The Man turned round within the boat

And raised a grateful hand.

“Many thanks again to you my friends,

Helping me, this river span.

“My quest may now continue,

A great debt I owe to you.

I’ll return your vessel upon my return

Within a month or two.”

Quickly, the Man, undeterred

Reached the other shore.

No sooner had he stepped aground,

The river raged once more.

Our Hero paused to contemplate

The miles left to traverse,

To reach his expedition’s end

And collect a wealthy purse.

“Look at this winding, endless road,

It stretches past my sight.

I must press on till journey’s end

Though it take all my might!”

Just then, a shadow passed overhead:

A giant eagle! It landed near.

With a regal bow, it said, “Dear man,

I could not help but overhear:

“You venture forth upon your quest,

With many leagues till end.

Perchance would you allow me

To aid your travels, friend?

“I am but a lowly buzzard,

Sprung from a wicked seed.

My early years, spent with no care

To those around in need.

“But at last did I repent,

And my heart soared high, set free!

Good deeds I vowed to undertake

In generosity.”

The Man took time to form his words,

Then sighed and simply said,

“I can hardly stand to hear you speak,

For your squawking dulls my head.

“But if you will promise now

To cease your dreary tale,

And keep your beak sealed for the flight,

Your wings I will avail.”

Great distance passed by in a flash

As they soared throughout the sky.

No obstacle did they encounter,

Nor stormy cloud go by.

Pointing down toward a cleft of rock,

Our Hero did exclaim,

“You may let down upon that ground,

That’s where I’ll find my claim.”

The bird took roost upon the earth

Which lay before a cave.

Filled with concern, the eagle said,

“This is where your treasure lay?

“Be wary my dear traveler,

I’ve heard dark tales about this land:

Of goblins, witches, and evil things

With trolls under their command.

“I urge you to use caution

And wisdom to discern,

If the prize you seek is worth your life

Should your fortunes take ill turn.”

Said our Man, “I must confess,

The danger I fail to see.

For within that very cavern awaits

My triumphant destiny!”

And so the Man, without fear,

Plunged into the cave.

Darkness soon swept over him,

A black and blinding wave.

After much time in the ceaseless dark

Walking though he had no sight,

Behold! The Man could finally see

A tiny speck of light.

Our Hero’s pace did quicken

As he rushed toward the glow.

Suddenly, he was atop high, stone stairs

With a golden treasure below!

“At last!” the Man exclaimed.

“My long journey is at its end.

Arduous travel, but worth every mile

To reap this dividend!”

Just then a mighty bellow

Shook the hewn-rock walls.

“Who dares,” called out a thunderous voice,

“Trespass these hallowed halls?”

A monstrous troll erupted

From a bejeweled and golden hill.

Lifting its cudgel high, it roared,

“Your blood is mine to spill!”

The Man was left quite startled,

The eagle’s warning had been right!

Even so, he steeled himself

To face this fearsome plight.

“I am a Man from a far-off land,

I have come for this reward!

If you choose to stand against me,

I will slay you with my sword!”

The beast’s fierce façade fell suddenly

A coward’s countenance spilled through.

“My lord, I beg, don’t kill me—

I was merely guarding this for you!”

Said the Man, “Cease your deceptive words!

I see right through your lie.

Make your peace, you witless beast

For by my hand, you’re about to die.”

The troll said, “Show me mercy!

Don’t fell me with your knife.

If you will choose to spare me,

I’ll serve you with my life!”

The Man mulled on this offer,

To accept or to refuse.

Finally, he shrugged and said,

“Eh, a servant I could use.”

And so our Hero found his treasure,

His journey was a breeze.

Now my friends, you’ve heard the tale

About the Man of Ease!