Willow: a Fable

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Timmy Tom Tuck was a young fellow with charm
who one summer stayed at his grandfather's farm.
He loved to eat ice cream and Grandma's baked goods
but his favorite thing was to play in the woods

He so loved the willow oak tree near the spring
to lie flat on his back and hear the birds sing.
The bunnies and ducklings would come to his call
as Timmy Tom Tuck was best friends with them all.

One day young Timmy was watching a cloud.
All at once his name was called plainly out loud!
He looked all around but naught did he see
till a marvelous creature stepped out of the tree.

"Willow is my name", softly sang out the sprite.
Her skin was quite crinkled, her hair purest white.
"I am your friend, so you have nothing to dread.
This tree is my home. I'm a dryad.", she said.

"A dryad dwells deep in the heart of her oak
and she speaks through its roots to all forest folk:
to mosses and mushrooms, the ferns in the fen,
pink lady slippers, and the grass in the glen.

For all things are akin, all substance is one:
the earth and the stars, the moon and the sun,
the grass and the trees, the air high above,
the birds and the bees, the people we love."

From that time on they were never apart,
and Timmy loved Willow with all of his heart.
All day they would play in the rocks and the streams
and at night sweet Willow would dance in his dreams.

Dryads live long but young summers do fly.
Soon Timmy and Willow spoke words of goodbye.
He promised he'd surely come see her next year.
Sadly smiled Willow; her eyes glistened with tears.

But Timmy came not in that year nor the next
as summers were filled with exciting prospects:
soccer and baseball and Boy Scout Jamborees.
Those days with Willow turned to faint memories

But at last one summer he went back to the farm
and contritely thought of his vow in alarm.
He gave hugs all around, and once he was free,
with his heart in his throat, ran down to the tree.

The oak was all withered, no leaves anywhere.
"Oh Willow! Oh Willow!", he cried in despair.
"Oh Willow! Oh Willow! Oh where can you be?"
then embraced with both arms the willow oak tree.

From the tree there came a soft tremulous sigh.
"Oh Timmy, dear Timmy, my end is now nigh.
I've lived and seen wonders in these many years,
but now I must go; you must not shed any tears.

For all things are akin, all substance is one,
the earth and the stars, the moon and the sun,
the grass and the trees, the air high above,
the birds and the bees, the people we love.

I'll kiss your sweet cheek with every small breeze.
I'll cool your hot brow with the shade of the trees.
In dewdrops I'll wash your bright face with the dew,
and in dreams my soul will be always with you."

With those words, kind Willow then faded away.
Near her Timmy stayed till the end of the day.
That evening quite late he was able to sleep,
then dreamed such a dream, and the dreaming was deep.

The forest was big and the forest was bright.
Sweet sunshine shone through it in golden daylight.
Then all the wood fairies came out at twilight,
and fair Willow danced in the silver moonlight.

"Spend time with those you love"

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



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Date: 3/30/2017 9:22:00 AM
Such a beautifully written tale and fable. Congrats on the contest!
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Date: 3/14/2017 6:06:00 PM
OMG - this was my favorite of them all...you certainly put a lot of thought and message into your writing and it deserves admiration and compliments...just a great piece and a great moral lesson....
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Date: 3/11/2017 10:53:00 PM
Hi Roy, What a great fable with good moral." Spend time with the ones you love." Congratulations on winning write. It was well deserved: -) Alexis
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Date: 9/28/2015 6:38:00 AM
Hi Roy. Well written and such an easy flow. I enjoyed every word and was blown away by the complexity of this life lesson. Words of wisdom, my friend..... Robert.
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Date: 1/5/2015 12:35:00 AM
G'day Roy... Nothing like a good poetic ballad, and this one is a beauty. Great to recite. Thanks Roy Lindsay
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Date: 10/13/2014 1:52:00 PM
Love this story, great for children and adults of all ages. Congratulations on your fine win.
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Date: 10/13/2014 12:37:00 PM
an enchanting write Roy many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
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Date: 10/13/2014 11:58:00 AM
Very captivating fable, Roy, congrats on the win
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Date: 10/5/2014 3:26:00 PM
Sorry, just now found this gem.. I was hooked from start to finish my friend. This one is a true gift to all that read it for it presents so very much. Rating this ONE A SUPER 7 but truly think it deserves a solid 10..
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Date: 8/20/2014 10:01:00 AM
Roy, congratulations with your winning poem... Always~ Linda
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Date: 8/20/2014 8:03:00 AM
A wonderful fable Mr. Roy! It reminds me of Aesop's fables! Congrats for your well, deserved win! :-)
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Date: 8/20/2014 6:09:00 AM
Very intellectual write and full of wisdom, Roy. congrats on the win
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Date: 8/19/2014 9:39:00 PM
A lovingly written poem, Roy. Very nice. congratulations on your win. Love, joyce
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Date: 8/19/2014 4:35:00 PM
well, here your story poem is again with a big win. WE all won big, but oh well!! This one sure DESERVED it. Congrats to you!
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Jerden Avatar
Roy Jerden
Date: 8/19/2014 6:50:00 PM
Thanks! I normally never submit a 1st place winner again, unless it is a "best of" or favorite type contest. Now I've got two out of this one, both contests judged lightly. I might have to do one more with a tougher judge.
Date: 8/19/2014 1:49:00 PM
Strongly suggest that you get some artwork and submit this to DreamWorks or Disney or a book publisher. I have never read a fable this exciting....Never.... Hey Everyone! When I said 'Off you go now' I didn't know you were totally going to blow my mind, not all of you at once! I am honored to have read your poetry. Thank You for entering my contest! Off You Go Now, Judy.
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Date: 7/24/2014 3:42:00 PM
Roy such wisdom...we must spend as much time as we can with them. Before you know it life passes you by...congrats
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Date: 7/21/2014 8:13:00 AM
Roy, I am such a sap, no pun intended, for for lost love poems, andI so enjoyed this one. Well penned life lesson, my friend.. Hugs.. Arlene
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Date: 7/18/2014 2:47:00 PM
Roy,, Congratulations, on your awesome Fable ..... Always~ Linda
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Date: 7/17/2014 6:31:00 PM
A marvelous story with a moral. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
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Date: 7/17/2014 9:26:00 AM
For me this is by far the best entry I have read. Simply fantastic! Congratulations!
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Date: 7/16/2014 10:10:00 AM
Congrats on yor 1st place top win! An enchantin fairytale epic in admirable rhyming lines. Fun to read.
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Date: 7/15/2014 11:39:00 PM
Congratulations on your placement here. An excellent narrative with a strong message. Watched the movie Willow with my grandchildren yesterday. It is a bit violent at the end but has a good underlying theme.
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Date: 7/15/2014 7:33:00 PM
wonderful story loved it from start to finish Roy. a great win. Hugs jan xxx
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Date: 7/15/2014 3:37:00 PM
wow, what a beautiful fantasy fable you created. the beginning made me think of Malevolent! I really enjoyed what you did. I bet you scored a first place with it. Congratulations.
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Date: 7/15/2014 11:47:00 AM
You do know how to weave a tale. Congrats on the win in my contest... And thank you for sharing this... I loved it... Tremendously.
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