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| Now, every Kindrell knows
this tale, Yet again, must it be told — The tale of the Stang and the Oprus And the Twail, courageous and bold. |
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| The Stang and the Oprus
sat at tea And what a strange pair they made — The golden Oprus and Purple Stang, In a downy forest glade. |
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| The conversation had
turned to wax And melted into the sand And soon, they'd dozed contentedly, For the afternoon was grand. |
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| But when the chill of
evening struck, The Stang awoke to find The golden Oprus had gone and left Its beautiful tea set behind. |
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| “Without so much as a
‘by your leave,’” Muttered the Stang, and the Twail, In that instant, came into view At the bend in the forest trail. |
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| “Without so much as a
‘by your leave,’” Repeated the Stang aloud. “I beg your pardon,” muttered the Twail. “I'm the Twail,” it said, and bowed. |
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| “It's left its tea set,
one shoe and its hat. Now, don't you find that odd?” Asked the Stang, and the Twail, amazed, Could only blink and nod. |
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| “The day seemed ordinary
enough. We'd both come here for tea . . .” “Both?” puzzled the Twail as it looked around. “Aye. The golden Oprus and me. |
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| Oh, by the by, I'm the
purple Stang And my friend has just disappeared, Without hat or shoe or tea set!” And at these three items, they peered. |
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| “Alas!” cried the Twail,
“We must flee at once!” “Flee?” cried the Stang, “But why?” “These signs in the grass! We must hide, alas, Or we, too, will surely die!” |
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| “Oh, dear, oh, dear!”
fretted the Stang, “Do you mean there's been foul play?” “There's simply no time to explain, just now, But here, we dare not stay! |
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| You'll be safe in yon
heather, Stang, But for me,” cried the Twail, “’Tis folly. Still, there's a chance I might be saved If I can reach yon holly!” |
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| “But it's too far away!”
squawked the purple Stang, “You can't mean to leave me here . . .” “Oh, do come along!” cried the courageous Twail, “We must run! The danger is near!” |
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| And dragging the Stang,
the Twail dashed away To the heather, thick and low, But it lost precious time on account of the Stang Being frightened and clumsy and slow. |
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| With the Stang tucked
away in the heather, The Twail turned tail to run, But in that instant, the Avaritch rose, Blotting the setting sun. |
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| The Twail was as fast
as a Twail could be, But the Avaritch faster still. The Twail hadn't reached the holly bush When the Avaritch dove for the kill, |
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| And clasping the Twail
in its terrible talons, Rose with a horrible cry, Into the darkening sky. |
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| The Stang cried out in horror! The Twail turned, the better to see, But that twist caught the Avaritch by surprise And the Twail, of a sudden, broke free! |
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How the Avaritch screamed as it wheeled in mid-air |
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| For the Avaritch, dreading the holly's thorns, Turned and flew off with a shriek! As the Twail settled down to catch its breath Feeling dizzy and giddy and weak, | |
| The Stang called out, "I say there, Twial, Are you hurt?" ANd the Twail answered, "No. But do, you, keep one eye on that darkening sky, And learn well, lest you come to woe! |
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| Behold the awesome Avaritch. Behold and then beware, The Avaritch with eyes of doom Whose shadow casts despair.” |
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