once there was a peaceful village
with no murder, rape or pillage
everyone did honest labor
and was friendly to their neighbor
every door was opened wide
so that folks could come inside
all elders were respected
no crime was ever detected
they had no silver, jewels or gold
but through the valley a river rolled
bringing water to boundless crops
that folks could eat until they dropped
mom and dad got up at dawn
and polly put the kettle on
all day long they did their chores
so that they were never bored
grandmothers were round and wise
and made excellent blueberry pies
grandpa though his hair was grayed
enjoyed his pipe beneath the shade
little boys ran and spread the news
little girls minded their p's and q's
it was the way that it should be
for all of eternity
and then one day a shadow fell
across the world they knew so well
thunder rolled across the land
the distant horizon was fearfully scanned
nightmares visited young and old
strange tales around the fire were told
people kept their doors shut tight
and could hardly sleep at night
outside the village a monster lurked
skulking in the fog and murk
waiting for the silent hour
the unwary traveler to devour
no longer could the children play
even in the light of day
birds abandoned the cloudy skies
the villagers scanned with frightened eyes
laughter was replaced with fear
throughout the long and dreary year
the leafless trees felt winters chills
and the monster laughed behind the hills
things might have gone along this way
and the village perished, who can say?
but fate would not be so forlorn
because a hero had been born
johnny smith, a faceless sort
showed little sign, by all reports
of standing out among the crowd
not too quiet, not too loud
even johnny's mom and dad
little suspected that johnny had
the stuff of heroes in his being
none indeed were so farseeing
the night was dark, and wet and drear
the little household huddled in fear
mom and dad and johnny and sis
as the rain against the windows hissed
dad whittled at his favorite stick
you could hear mom's heartbeat tick
sis stared into space and wiggled her toes
then johnny from the table rose
his algebra homework he put down
and looked around with a puzzled frown
he listened to the rain and scratched his head
i think i'll go for a walk, he said
sis looked puzzled, dad looked sad
mom cried, johnny, are you mad
this is something you must not do
outside, certain death awaits you
aw gee ma, don't talk like that
said johnny, putting on his hat
my clouded brain needs a fresh air shock
i will just walk around the block
so without saying anything more
johnny walked over and opened the door
and disappeared into the wind and rain
would he ever be seen again?
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