The first night on the road, the pilgrim’s eyes were full of glee

he’d left a lovely message where his mother soon would see

“I’ll be back a hero soon, so fear not for your son

give my brothers all my chores until my journey’s done”

No longer would he sleep where he had slept since he was born

dreaming so much of adventure, all his dreams were worn

they’d surely understand that there’s a bigger world for him

for pilgrims to be happy, then their journeys must begin

“Father, you’ll hear stories of the battles I have won

you’ll be the proudest father of the world’s most famous son

the only thing that you’ll regret is that it took so long

but now I’m on my way to prove that all of you were wrong”

Through the night he hopped along while looking straight ahead

and as he travelled further west he never missed his bed

and when the morning sun arose to warm his tired back

it cast his shadow forward and it kept him right on track

His home was far behind him when the second night had come

over the horizon in the place he started from

he rested by the road beneath the stars and made a fire

and as he slept he dreamt of all the wealth he would acquire

“Father, I’ll become so rich, before you grow too old

and I’ll return again in time with wagons full of gold

every piece of treasure that I win I’ll show to you

sit right back and watch me show the world what I can do”

And so the pilgrim marched along the road with spirits high

he’d walked for seven joyful days beneath a clear sky

his eyes were wide as he admired a world he’d never seen

mountains taller, rivers wider, forests deeper green

And when he took the final bite of bread that he had packed

his hunger followed shortly, but the boy was quick to act

he came upon a shallow stream, that overflowed with fish

he laughed at just how quickly nature answered every wish

The fruits upon the trees along the path were always plenty

for every apple he desired, a tree would give him twenty

and finally when winter came to hide the land with snow

he happily continued while the winds began to blow

Lucky as he was that when the snow had just begun

he noticed fires starting in the distance one by one

the pilgrim felt the cold air setting in but didn’t mind

he walked into a quiet town and wondered what he’d find

Pilgrim you have travelled quite a distance from your home

it’s hard for us to understand the reason why you roam

but we’re as proud as any of our hospitality

so stay with us a while and we’ll enjoy a pot of tea

A simple village made of houses not unlike his own

a few perhaps a little grander, made of brick and stone

while he introduced himself, a young girl passed him by

some children playing, chuckled when they saw she’d caught his eye

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The village all was curious and welcomed him to stay

he told them of the wondrous things he’d seen along the way

he told them stories, mostly true, of wild beasts he’d slain

and how he travelled bravely on through thunderstorms and rain

“Since I left my home I’ve had no help from anyone

other men might fear a storm, but I’ve been having fun

this is just a prelude to the hero that I’ll be

soon I’ll show the world that there has been no man like me”

He told them endless stories he’d heard other people tell

and even though they’d heard them all, they still enjoyed them well

they spoke into the night then showed the pilgrim to a bed

and when the sun arose the pilgrim once again was fed

“Little pilgrim please be well and safe along your way

be sure and come again to tell your stories here one day

whatever you are searching for, we hope you find it soon

and any song that’s sung of you, will be a happy tune”

As the pilgrim set out, his new friends all gave a cheer

one girl kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear

he stopped for just a moment but he knew he couldn’t stay

the pilgrim waved and told her they might meet again one day

“Pilgrim will you really do so many wondrous things

I’d be happy by your side no matter what fate brings”

but pilgrims on a journey stop for nothing but a rest

so any promise made may just as well be made in jest

The pilgrim carried on, with food and confidence to spare

adventure lay ahead and he would rush to meet it there

and when he’d finally conquered every enemy in stride

he’d return with gold in store and take a lovely bride

A little farther on he came upon another town

but something in the air replaced his smile with a frown

he wandered through the quiet streets until he found an inn

he knocked and entered slowly but no fire was lit within

He’d never been inside a place so dismal and so grim

the smell of dust and silence took the warmth right out of him

he almost didn’t notice there, a man with weary eyes

whose cold and lifeless greeting took the pilgrim by surprise

“Why you’ve come here, I don’t know, but leave before the night

there’s no wood to burn or food to sate your appetite

drought and famine long since drove our children from this place

you’ll find nothing warmer here than my old dying face”

The pilgrim wasn’t scared because a hero would be brave

he only ran away from there, for there were none to save

the ghostly image of the elder’s grey and withered face

would leave his mind when he was far enough from that old place

“I’ll never be as helpless as that tired, silly man

poverty’s a punishment for fools without a plan”

the pilgrim reassured himself that he had no such fate

no trials, quests, or challenges would leave him in that state

The longest night of winter came and passed without a fight

the pilgrim spent his evenings by a campfire burning bright

his stores of fruit had long since given way to hunted game

he’d never tasted better meat prepared on open flame

Around the end of winter, then he happened for to meet

a merchant riding west to sell his wares upon the street

speaking of a paradise for those with gold to spend

where adventures start and treasure hunts are known to end

The merchant wasn’t young but both his eyes were sharp and blue

the boy explained his journey, and he asked if it was true

that if he travelled far enough, adventure could be found

somewhere to fulfil the quest, to which he had been bound

The merchant was impressed despite the boy’s naivete

he’d come so far relying on his luck along the way

“Just like you, I left my home to chase a dream of wealth

with luck and friends, I find myself in riches and good health

I’m rich enough to spend my free time riding to and fro

seeking out the treasures that I dreamt of long ago

follow my tracks south and you’ll be happy that you did

and if you come upon my auction, kindly place a bid”

The pilgrim listened eagerly to every word he said

luck and friends aside, he wanted battlefields instead

“tell me is there somewhere in that city I can fight

can I battle demons there, and show the world my might”

“Pilgrim, in that city sitting quietly by the sea

you can buy a dream come true for quite the modest fee

just be sure you have some luck when you walk through the gate

misfortune comes to any fool who notices too late”

South the pilgrim ventured, as the merchant did advise

visions of a sprawling city burning in his eyes

he’d earn his way and soon afford the best that gold can buy

a legendary sword with which he’d pierce the very sky

As he walked he looked in awe at field after field

so vast he couldn’t possibly imagine what they’d yield

“could this all be meant to meet a single city’s needs

a man could spend a hundred years keeping back the weeds”

When cobblestone replaced the dirt beneath his tired feet

and wooden fences turned to walls of brick along the street

the pilgrim in his fourteenth spring came over one small hill

to find a sight so grand in scale it nearly made him ill

Just an hours’ walk ahead he saw a wall of stone

taller than the tallest tree the woods had ever grown

built around a city full of buildings big and tall

near a port so full of ships he couldn’t count them all

He hoped to find some work before he found a place to sleep

not expecting anything worth having would be cheap

his father always told him to work hard or else be smart

this would be the very day his quest would truly start