The pilgrim felt the hardest chapter of his life had closed

a world he couldn’t fathom full of mystery exposed

the guards who stopped him at the gate just laughed and waved him through

staring at their shining armour, as a child would do

The boy recovered quickly from the overwhelming sight

of endless waves of people walking to his left and right

he ventured through the noisy crowd not sure where he should go

but confident that when he met his fate that he would know

Suddenly a big man missing half his teeth or more

brushed against the traveller then fell upon the floor

before the boy could stop and help the fallen man to stand

another man approached the boy and grabbed him by the hand

“How dare you push that old man down and try to steal his things

you’re about to see the consequence that stealing brings

someone call the guards, this boy should surely pay a price

even all the gold that he could pay would not suffice”

Before the boy could understand the trouble he was in

he looked back down and saw the toothless man now wore a grin

a guard appeared and asked the boy what he could sell for gold

and if he couldn’t pay the fine himself, then he’d be sold

The wide-eyed boy attempted to appeal to passers by

but such a common scene would make no stranger bat an eye

the guards who confiscated every item he possessed

didn’t even hear the desperate pleading of their guest

Confused and stripped of everything except his ragged pants

he tried to talk his way of his chains, but had no chance

his first night in the city was in jail, confused and cold

his company a sleeping drunk who stank of beer and mold

The night was long and sleepless but the sun did rise again

maybe on his second day, he’d find adventure then

he ate the bit of moldy bread the guard tossed in the cell

when first it crossed his mind, he hoped his family was well

His stomach turned but he resolved to face adversity

if he gave up, he could never face his family

as he sat in silence trying to formulate a plot

a man appeared before the boy who took him to be bought

“Sinner, now the time has come for you to go and pay

Stand up straight so we can get you sold and on your way”

the jailor dragged him out in chains into the busy street

dreaming of a warmer place with something good to eat

He, along with half a dozen other sorry men

chained upon a platform, saw the city once again

standing there without his shirt and shoes he wasn’t sure

if life in this big city, was a life he could endure

After several hundred pairs of eyes had stopped to stare

the boy in chains was guided off the platform in despair

a guard removed his chains and said, the payment will suffice

and then he heard a voice cry out, “you went for quite a price”

“Pilgrim I must say I’m happy, you took my advice

I’m sure that you’ll agree that city life is rather nice”

a man with sharp blue eyes emerged from somewhere in the crowd

he paid the auctioneer a fee and then politely bowed

The merchant laughed and threw the boy a blanket laced with gold

and fed him with some meat and cheese which drove away the cold

“to think that we could meet again so soon, I’m truly blessed

Although it cost a little more to buy you than I guessed”

Your lesson here is twofold and it’s best you learn it well

luck and friends are all that stop you falling into hell

so let me simplify the situation that you’re in

you can work for me, or you can try your luck again”

The boy could not deny the fact that he’d been caught off guard

and getting used to city life might be a little hard

so just this once he’d listen to the merchant’s free advice

sometimes even heroes needed saving once or twice

“Pilgrim I can see you made it this far on your own

but honestly, you might not get much farther all alone

in the end, I cannot help you mend your wounded pride

but when misfortune comes to call, no man alive can hide”

The pilgrim, now employed, could only sigh and shake his head

“I’ll return the gold you paid, as sure as blood is red”

the merchant cheered and slapped the shoulder of his new young friend

“I have blood and gold to spare but do as you intend”