The Chronicles of Clarazel

by Hazel Goodman

    Part One - Humphrey's Quest   

Page Five

As Humphrey trod the stony paths, He pondered on his Quest. He had the trust of Clarazel,
What lay before him none could tell, But he would try his best.
 
The Mountain path seemed shorter here, Where Forever Land began, And very soon he reached a Plain
Of waving flowers and golden grain Where the road to Nowhere ran.
 
The Map showed 'West to Nowhere', With a Skull and Crossbones sign. Which means, '
Look out for Danger here, It's safer not to go too near, Don't cross the Blood Red Line!'
 
When Humphrey reached the Danger Zone He stopped to take a rest. Before he entered Nowhere Land
He took his Luck Charm in his hand, Then hung it on his chest.
 
He stepped across to Nowhere. The Stone began to glow, And Humphrey thought once more of Ouff,
Then watched - the Stone should give him proof Of which way he should go.
 
Nowhere stretched forever. As far as he could see. And even when he turned about,
It seemed there would be no way out - No flowers, no grain, no trees!
 
Forever Land had disappeared, At least, that's how it seemed. For inside Nowhere there's no way,
No path, no road, no light of day, Just like a shapeless Dream.
 
He found that while he travelled straight, The Stone shone bright and clear, But if he turned it grew quite dim.
It clearly marked the way for him, And Ouff was somewhere near.
 
And then he stumbled on a shape All hunched up on the ground. Could this be Ouff, this fearsome sight?
It gave our Humphrey quite a fright To see what he had found.
 
The thing was large and warty, With tufts of hair all brown. It's skin was green, the nails were long,
The wrinkled back was broad and strong, With a tail that reached the ground.
 
A muffled sniff came from this heap, And a plaintive little wail. "I'm lost and all alone!" It cried,
"I can't get out, I've tried and tried, But only chase my tail!"
 
"Hello" called Humphrey, kindly, "I've come to rescue you. So up you get and cry no more,
For now you're safe, of that I'm sure, So stop your moaning, do!"
 
The Troll jumped wildly upwards, And stared at Humphrey Bold. "Who are you, come to find me here?
My eyesight isn't very clear, I think I've caught a cold."
 
He wiped away a teardrop With a huge ungainly fist. Then said "I'm Ouff, I s'pose you know?"
And "Is it very far to go, To find the path I missed?"
 
Then Humphrey introduced himself And said "It's not too far, I have a Charm to show the way,
To lead us back to light of day, And show us where we are."
 
 

copyright © Hazel Goodman 1987 -  2007

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