Frog Boy!

SHADOW SHOT

FROG BOY!

Three years ago he couldn't crawl.

His world was very, very small.

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Two years ago he learned to speak;

Until then he could hardly squeak!

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One year ago he held on tight;

Little things gave him a fright.

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But now that he is nearly four

He's tough and strong and certain sure!

Like a frog he leaps and flies!

All cross-legged up to the skies!

Hear him whoop! Hear him declare

'Look! That frog is me down there!'

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THE CHAINED TREE

( A Legend based on truth. I have seen the tree)

It happened in this wise, my friends,

Or so the legends run,

That the Earl of Shrewsbury

Cantered home, in 1821.

The Earl was a fine, upstanding man,

But his heart was hard as stone.

He viewed his servants much like dirt,

And worked them to the bone.

A storm was raging on that night

As he rode through Dimminsdale;

The lightning flashed, the thunder roared:

He was soaked by rain and hail.

He could scarcely see the road ahead

As he hurtled through the night.

And, suddenly, a shape loomed up!

A truly ghastly sight!

A Beggar stood there, drenched and wild,

Shouting above the din

'A penny for a Beggar, Sir!

You can see the state I'm in!'

The horse reared up, the Earl let loose

With a shout of rude surprise;

'Get out of my way, Old Beggar!

You blackguard! Damn your eyes!'

But still the Beggar stood his ground,

Though lashed by wind and rain;

'Just one penny, Master!

And I'll never ask again!

A penny for a glass of port

At the local hostelry!'

But the Earl in heartless fashion cried

'You felon! Leave me be!'

He whipped his horse into action;

It set off with one bound,

Leaving the Beggar sprawling

On the dank and muddy ground!

But, as the Earl sped fast away,

The Beggar loudly cursed;

From this day forth, oh lordly Earl,

Prepare yourself for the worst!

In every storm, in future years,

Yon tree will lose a limb.

So look to your well-fed children,

For their futures will be grim!

I curse thee up, I curse thee down,

I curse thee low and high.

For every time a limb is lost,

One of your sons will die!'

And, sure enough, a mighty storm

Destroyed a limb from the tree

And, that very night, the eldest son,

Died, in great agony.

'Tie up the tree with chains of iron!'

The Earl was heard to cry!

'The tree must be protected

So no other child will die!'

And still one great chain can be seen

Though the tree shows signs of age,

Proof of a rich man's folly

And a Beggar's dreadful rage.

Yes, still the legend lingers on,

A dire and haunting tale,

And you'll see the chain on that fateful tree

As you pass through Dimminsdale.

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