An old Gnome s demand. The Kingdom of Streams

The tits flew to Young Spring.
They flapped by wings and chirped,
inviting her to go
to Gnome’s forgotten pit.
They twittered in dawn mist,
the flute had not been lost.

Young Brook stood up and stretched.
The cozy bed was left.
She hurried to obtain
the flute to green the earth.
The greedy peevish dwarf
should give the old flute back.

They reached the huge dwarf’s mine.
A strange bright yellow shine
was spreading through the hole.
Brook entered the old shaft
and went along strange lights.
She found bearded Gnome.

Brook asked him to return
the flute which had been robbed,
but the old dwarf denied…
He said it fell from skies.
He showed to Brook the bump,
which He got from its thrust.

Young Spring began to beg.
Old Gnome had been ashamed.
He said that He would give
the flute to blue eyed Brook
in case She’ll bring a huge
cloth bag of sparkling beads.

The girl bowed down her head.
She had agreed with that.
She could fulfil his needs.
Young Brook told to old Gnome
to come to a wide lawn
at dawn to pick up beads.

                by Thea Ariss   
                17.10.2024