The epic tale of heroes changed the village overnight
boys were filled with courage and their mothers filled with fright
dreams of leaving home to be a hero filled the air
spreading like a fire before the elder was aware
The merchant soon departed, but his stories all remained
the passion of the village children couldn’t be restrained
at first the elder hoped that they would soon forget the tales
but soon he recognized a wind that once had caught his sails
All at once the village filled with children playing war
caring not for life within the village anymore
the healer asked his oldest friend, the girl that once he saved
to help the children disregard the war they now all craved
“Elder, weren’t you once a knight who fought in many wars
aren’t these children free to make decisions just like yours
maybe you were injured or were on the losing side
but just like you our children are entitled to their pride”
She knew a little of his life, from stories he once told
happy tales of when he was a knight in times of old
but now he wanted desperately to finally forget
every battle that he’d fought and every foe he’d met
“Listen to me silly girl, and all you foolish boys
war is not a children’s game, and swords are not like toys
right here in this village is where all of you belong
let your heroes live forever in a joyful song”
Even his adopted daughter couldn’t understand
“you’re just a senile hypocrite, who’s grown too old and bland”
the elder felt his heart ache more with every day that passed
and when the first child left he knew they wouldn’t be the last
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Parents couldn’t keep their children working in the field
dreaming wasn’t something like an illness to be healed
stories burned in almost every young one’s little heart
some day soon, the elder feared his home would fall apart
He wandered through the town one day where all the children played
older children talking of the plans that they had made
he’d always fought the children with a wooden sword for fun
but this time when they challenged him, he felt the game was done
One young man had already prepared himself for war
in his eyes, no playfulness was present anymore
a sword a merchant sold him was no firmly in his hand
he stood before the elder and explained what he had planned
“Old man, you have always been a master of the sword
today I’ll win and have you honour the promised reward
once defeated, you will tell me how you learned to fight
then I’ll leave this boring village come the dawn’s first light”
The young man didn’t wait for a reply and soon attacked
few expected such an old man could even react
but what came next was hard for anyone to understand
the metal sword was melting in the village elder’s hand
the young man dropped the sword as it began to melt away
none who looked upon the scene could find a word to say
the elder wiped the molten metal from his glowing hand
and looked with pity at the man who could no longer stand
“Throw away these weapons and enjoy the life you live
there’s nothing you can gain from war, but everything to give
glory doesn’t wait for you beyond the battlefield
nowhere in a bloody war is happiness concealed”
Children laughed and gathered round to hear what he would say
he looked around at all their smiles and wished that they would stay
“come on elder, tell us more of battlefields and war
why should we be scared of something we’ve been training for”
Soon their parents joined them when they heard about the fight
wondering about the source of such an eerie light
but when they saw the elder using fire to melt a sword
some felt a twinge of fear toward the elder they adored
He wanted them to listen to his order not to leave
but knew without a reason that they’d all remain naïve
he took a breath and looked toward the cloudy sky and sighed
“I’ll tell you how much suffering can come from stupid pride
A crowd of young and old alike had gathered in the square
the elder stood beneath the very tree he’d planted there
he looked around at all their faces, innocent and kind
the thought of them at battle weighing heavy his mind
“You know nothing of the world you’re desperate now to see
but everything you’ll ever wish you had is here and free
you think I’m just an old man, scared you might run off and die
but better that than live to kill and never question why
Children, you all needn’t worry for your final breath
waiting for you all are many fates much worse than death”
suddenly the air around the old man became cold
but he alone was glowing like the flames that he controlled
Maybe you expect adventure blessed by luck and fate
you’ll miss a chance to be a hero if you leave too late
but no one in this wide world has been luckier than I
I’ll tell you what it means to be so lucky not to die”
~