into tales of sadness and joy
the storyteller turns to leave
but pauses near a childs toy
bending down to pick it up
a smile creeps onto his face
so we will have one more tale
before he leaves this place!
'who's toy is this?' he queries
as he retakes the honored chair
at the proding of proud parents
the tiniest hand shoots into the air
'come sit here on my lap my son'
the storyteller invites the youth
'for the place of honor is yours'
'yours will be the story of truth'
'hold your toy and close your eyes'
'and tell us your life story'
full of childish honesty and candor
he spoke of young life's glory
he carried us back to our own youth
and saw it through his eyes
to a time of simpleness and purity
with no falseness or lies
opening his eyes he gazed up
and told the storyteller he was done
lowering the child to the ground
he asked 'now wasn't that fun?'
'a child's tale to end the night'
'and so now I must leave'
we thanked him for his time
and all the tales he did weave
the child came up and hugged him
and gave him his toy
the storyteller broke down crying
'I had one of these as a boy'
