The Prince of These Woods

Edward was a good little boy,

Who lived in the library with his dad,

Sometimes books brought him joy,

But most times they made him sad.

 

He would read about a heroic quest,

And a hero finding his friends,

How they would rise to the test,

But then the story ends.

 

One day wandering through the halls,

Wishing for his own adventure,

Annoyed by the "NO FUN" signs on the walls,

Came upon a mysterious door.

 

Keep out, dangerous,

Declared a sign,

But it made him feel adventurous,

And sent a chill down his spine.

 

He took the handle in his hands,

And pulled with with all his might,

Imagining a journey through distant lands,

Finding the door to be surprisingly light,

 

The door flung open with ease,

And Edward caught a glimpse of the sun,

Before his wings caught a strong breeze,

Like it or not his adventure had begun.

 

Out upon the wind he was swept,

"Oh nooooo!" he cried the whole way down,

Feeling more than a little inept,

And foolish just like a clown.

 

He landed in in a pool of mud,

Right in front of a silver stag,

Who laughed and called him a spud,

Before he started to brag.

 

"I am the Prince of these woods,

None an match my speed,

And in looks I've got the goods,

Bow to me or you shall bleed!"

 

Edward gave a frightened squeak,

And the stag flung him through the air,

So he landed in the creek,

And was washed away from there.

 

Edward swam to the other shore,

Away from the laughing deer,

"Come back if you want to settle the score!"

He shouted after the boy with a leer.

 

He stalked off in a huff,

Putting the bully to his back,

Wishing he could be more tough,

And followed a well worn track.

 

The ground rumbled beneath his feet,

And booming echoed in his ears,

The sound came a steady beat,

Until before him its source appears.

 

"I am the Prince of these woods," declared a giant,

"I am the strongest one here,

Before my will none are defiant,

Bow to me or get kicked out of here!"

 

Edward flailed and ran in dread,

As the giant stomped his feet,

"On second thought I'll squish your head,

You look like a tasty treat!"

 

Edward managed to get away,

He lamented being so small,

'Twas turning out to be an awful day,

He really wished he didn't fall.

 

From behind him he heard a hiss,

"I am the Prince of these woods for I am most clever,

All who deny it would be remiss,

Bow to me or be trapped in dreams forever."

 

Mist swirled about on every side,

It coiled and twisted in his wake,

Some of the mist solidified,

Into a gigantic snake.

 

The mist twisted into frightful sights,

And hissing laughter filled his ears,

So Edward ran toward little lights,

To escape visions of his fears.

 

He ran straight off a ledge,

But was caught in arms covered in scales,

"All these princes have me on edge,

If you're one too I'll go off the rails!"

 

"Well hello to you too, Eddy-pie,

No, I'm not Prince of the wood,

It's nice f you to drop by,

Seeing you is always good."

 

"Walker!  I'm so glad it's you,

I met a bunch of bullies here,

I don't know what to do,"

Edward replied still full of fear.

 

"Eddy-pie, tell me everything,"

And so he did,

And as The Walker was listening,

His anger couldn't be hid.

 

The walker told Edward to ride on his back,

As he ran to the territory of the silver stag,

Who tried to flee from his attack,

But was stuffed into a big bag.

 

Then they went to the giant's hill,

Who tried to squish them underfoot,

But The Walker's strength made him take a spill,

And with one blow out his lights were put.

 

Then to the serpent's lair,

When came again the terrible mist,

But The Walker burned it away with fire called from the air,

And told the flames to seize the snake in a fist.

 

They took the vanquished back to his campsite,

Where the walker asked of his friend,

"Eddy-pie, these three put you in such a plight,

Do you want me to put them to end?"

 

Edward looked at each in turn,

And answered according to what he thought right,

"Don't let your anger burn,

'Cause thy already lost the fight.

 

"They know better to hurt me again,

They know they don't got the goods,

And that I'm your friend,

And that none of them is Prince of these woods."

 

The Walker sang to a tree of yew,

And into the shape of a crown some branches did thread,

"The Prince of these woods is you,"

The Walker declared as he placed it upon Edward's head."

 

"You three listen up well,

It doesn't matter if you swift, strong, or smart,

It doesn't matter who you tell,

That's all worthless without a good heart."