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

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”

~