The Family of Three

This is the story that I tell to you

About a man, woman, and a child too.

They lived in a log cabin far in the woods,

Far from people, planes, and all kinds of goods.

The family was poor and worked all day.

But always, together found time to play.

One day the child ran into the woods,

Having forgotten to pick some berries from a blueberry bush.

After plucking the berries as easy as one, two, and three,

The child ran home jumping with glee!

He lept over roots, dodging branches, and thorns.

Only to trip over a wee little book,

Left there by a stranger in a hood.

The boy didn't squeal or run with fear,

Instead, he yelled, "Come back over here!"

Having heard the boy across the way.

The stranger picked up their pace not wanting to stay.

Stumbling through the woods, the stranger went,

only to slip from an ill-placed grip.

The stranger fell and bumped their head,

Blacking out instead.

The boy watched with wonder and care,

Then ran home to tell his parents of the grim affair.

They brought the stranger to their home,

And laid them down on the only bed they owned.

The woman lit the fire that she also uses as a stove,

To warm the broth and cabin from the night’s cold.

For it will be bitter come morning, for early they will rise,

To work the land, to pray, and make some blueberry pies.

She took the blueberries from their basket,

In the bottom there lay a little book in it.

"Little bear! What did you bring?", said She

“Why bring a little book home to me?”

“Sorry ma,” said he “The stranger left it there, waiting for me.”

She put down the book and gave her husband a good look

The stranger there could be trouble you see,

That worried her to the third degree

The evening turned to night in a flash,

Each one fell asleep while the fire turned to ash.

Then with a loud bang, clash and a dash,

Each woke up to the stranger’s crash.

“Who goes there?” the man yelled aloud,

Ready to fight, for his family he vowed.

“It is I,” said the stranger from across the way

“I didn’t mean to be a burden on this day.”

“Lift up your hood, if stranger ye be,

And I promise I won’t hurt thee.”

The stranger took care, laying down their hood,

Revealing a maiden of noble blood there stood.

Her beauty was fair and none could compare,

For she was the daughter of a billionaire.

“I’ve got to leave.” said she, with worry and care,

“For the men after me are not noble, but scoundrels beyond respare.”

She left them there without a single look,

The little boy yelled after her, “Fair lady, Don’t forget your book!”

The boy rushed to her side, holding the book by its cover

He looked at her and said, “You dropped this in the woods and I gave it to mother.”

Then with a loud scream, both mom and dad

went after the dear lad

Only to find their son and the maiden,

struggling from a sudden invasion.

Two burly men, of a striking resemblance

held their charges with little resistance.

For they were strong and held them tight,

making it hard to put off a fight.

Both mom and dad were not so dismayed,

For they have been through a lot in their day.

If a fight these men seek,

Then that’s what they will get.

For they are not so weak,

And the sun is not near yet.

The fight began, with a cry of war,

First, a scream, and then came the roar.

Next came the clash and then a big “Ha-Umph!”

And then after that, came a well placed left hook.

In the end the parents won,

Freeing the maiden and their son from the invasion.

With a groan and a moan, the brothers left,

Arrested with the first morning's breath.

The maiden’s family came that afternoon,

Having been grateful from their daughter’s heartfelt rescue.

They gave the family the twenty thousand,

Saying that was their daughter’s ransom.