What's in a name?

[Psimon]

What's in a name?

*****************************

Now once there was a miller poor,

whose wolves had not come to his door

and stopped at just a genteel knock

but eaten all, including lock!

 

Just how he got the royal call

was an astonishment to all

for naught had he except his girl

though gold, he said, from straw she'd twirl.

 

The King, impressed, said "Bring her hence

but if she fails I'll take offence

and have her head upon a plate"

This could not fail to motivate!

 

In room alone, atop the tower

with straw and wheel she watched the hour

for dawn approached and with it came

her fifteen minutes of royal fame.

 

Her head in hands, she softly cried

when suddenly a man she spied.

But not a man, more like a boy

or some child's strange forgotten toy.

 

He was quite small, though still polite

and asked her why she wept this night.

She explained her situation,

and how she'd come to this vocation.

 

The man asked, "Dear, what will you give

should I take steps that you might live?"

Replied the girl, "Why sir, I've naught

to give but this old necklace taut"

 

Said man to she, "Then that shall do

and gold there'll be before I'm through"

So spin he did, all though the night

till dawn spilled forth her morning light.

 

The King, impressed but wracked by greed,

considered this beneath his need

so brought her to another room

full twice as large to seal her doom.

 

And so again, it happened thus

upon the little man she'd trust.

The stakes were raised but gold was spun

and so the girl gave no thought - none -

 

to what she gave in promises,

she did not have so could not miss.

But memory can sometimes bite

for back he came upon the night.

 

Her first born child was his to claim

unless she could deduce his name.

Three days she had to reach her goal

unless she forfeit promised toll.

 

By messenger the word was sent,

a list of names did represent.

But none was true and little man

almost succeeded in his plan.

 

But luck can play a fickle hand

and, just by chance you understand,

the name was found and so revealed.

The fate of little man was sealed

 

for flew he into awful rage

and uttered words not fit for page.

His careful plan had come unstuck -

a victim of his dreadful luck.

[WrenWind]

Wonderful Beloved just wonderfull!