Stephanie's Prologue

Young Stephanie boldly spoke up and said,

"Please let me tell a tale from my head."

"By all means," Mr. Zalkind replied

"Tell us your tale as we ride

In this foul smelling bus, and

should you be interrupted by any lad,

You may immediately slap him on the head and call him a cad."

An evil grin crossed Stephanie's face,

But she began her tale in a manner sedate.





Stephanie's Tale



It happened long ago in a land far away

That a certain king held a tournament in May.

Knights would come from near and far

To show off their skills and to spar

For riches and honor, if so did the choose,

But sadly many of them preferred booze.

These "noble knights" were gluttons and drunkards,

In no way worthy to be in the songs of bards.

But there was one who did good and right,

He defended justice with all his might.

Sir Edward of Henabra was his name.

Now it happened shortly after he came

That he saw a young girl assaulted a drunken knight,

So Sir Edward, who always did right,

Saved the poor girl from a horrible fate,

And on her every need did he wait.

He gave the best food and wine

And clothed her in garments as fine

As he could afford to buy,

And when the girl asked him why

Such kindness did he to her offer

When she was a penniless pauper,

He replied, "Madam, I know that you cannot repay

All that I have done for you this day,

But I seek wealth and riches not,

For they shall wither away and rot.

I wish only to do what is just,

For such a true knight must."

On hearing his words, the girl replied,

"Sir, without you, I would have died.

In a year you will receive a reward,

From the hand of a great and noble lord."

And after these words, she turned and went out of the door,

And the noble knight saw her no more.





Interruption of Stephanie's Tale

"An excellent tale, my dear wife,"

Chris exclaimed, "You are the love of my life!"

Stephanie swiftly smote Chris on the head and cried out, "Shut up you cad!"

Ryan, defending his brother, said, "leave him alone, he didn't do anything bad!"

Mr. Zalkind quickly spoke up, "Please, Stephanie, start again from where you stopped."

Stephanie glared at Chris and Ryan and then began where she had left off.





Conclusion of Stephanie's Tale

After the passing of a year,

Knights once again came to the king's city from far and near,

For the king's great tournament, which to be exceptionally great

(Or so it was rumored at any rate).

This year it was said that a great sorcerer lord would come,

Though no one knew where he was from.

And indeed the rumors were true,

The sorcerer came On a day when the sky was blue.

He rode in a great coach of solid gold,

Encrusted with many a diamond, sapphire, and emerald.

The interior was of silk, the color of fire,

And it was pulled by winged horses that never did tire.

From the coach the sorcerer did came

With his daughter, the fairest of maid.

The sorcerer called out, "Where is Sir Edward that noble knight?

Where is he that always does right?"

Sir Edward stepped forward and said, "Here I am."

The sorcerer turned to him and said, "To you I give my daughter, Miriam.

For a year ago you proved yourself worthy in every way

And so you shall marry her this day."

Then Sir Edward saw that Miriam was the young maid he had saved.

So they were wed and in joy eternal, Sir Edward was bathed.