A lone wanderer traveled the road.
Saw an old man and proceeded to slow.
"Stop I say, for I do tell you no!
Stop young man, for I do forebode!"
"~– ~ – ~"
Stop the man did, though uncertain he was.
At the voice he did hear, for which he did pause.
The wanderer spoke aloud, "Is this a haunt?
Who are you I say, and what do you want?"
"~– ~ – ~"
"Young man I must ask, where do you go?
What path shall you take, will you not slow?"
The wanderer replied, "Just know I am a student of the school of thought
I spread the truth of what I've been taught.
"~– ~ – ~"
I help people to realize their blunders.
To open their mind and see the world's wonder.
But this is irrelevant, what do you need?
I must get going with the quickest of speed."
"~– ~ – ~"
The old man in return then did reply.
"Trust what I say, for this is no lie.
If you should take money from the poor.
In terms of money, you shall have more."
"~– ~ – ~"
The young man replied, "Words that I seek are ones that are worthy.
I do not seek these words that are foul and dirty.
What you have said is a message of greed.
I tell you truly it is not what I need."
"~– ~ – ~"
After this the old man said in response.
"Is it not worthy to give what one wants?
If you think these words are not ones worth telling.
Perhaps you will find my next ones compelling.
"~– ~ – ~"
I tell you young man, before you ask why.
Trust what I say, for this is no lie.
"Did you hear the local blacksmith in town
In his free time enjoys wearing a gown?"
"~– ~ – ~"
"I'm sorry old man but why should I care?
Tis not a message of worth to be shared.
A message of worth is one that gives help.
From the oldest of men to the youngest of whelps."
"~– ~ – ~"
"Define 'help' young man, so that I will see.
What is helpful to you may not be helpful to me.
Define 'worth' young man, so that I will know.
Who shall find worth and who shall find woe."
"~– ~ – ~"
"I was speaking of help in perspective to others
Helping yourself is not like helping your brother.
Make it easier for another to accomplish a task
I tell you truly that is all that I ask"
"~– ~ – ~"
Tired of this game the young man did sigh.
"I am sorry good sir, but I must say goodbye"
"Hold up young man you have yet to hear.
The message in which you should give ear.
"~– ~ – ~"
Do not go on or else you shall die.
Trust what I say, for this is no lie.
I have walked down this path and I tell you I found.
Some men lie in wait, awaiting a sound.
"~– ~ – ~"
Thieves they all are and rob you they will.
Take your good gold and you they will kill.
My message you've heard, does it give mirth?
Are not these words a message of worth?"
"~– ~ – ~"
"If your words are as true as you say
You have done me a service you have taught me the way"
The message you provided is a message of worth.
It is a message that is worthy to be spread through the Earth."
"~– ~ – ~"
And so the wanderer then wandered away
Where he did go, who is to say.