COMPLETE: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 212: The Three Murkrows) (EVERYONE)

[LightningTopaz]

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 186: The Talonflame's Spell

(real tale: Big Bird Dam)

The crowd roars as Brock arrives onstage, eager to hear how he will kick off the eighth season of tales. "There was once a king who had twelve daughters, and he was so fond of them they had to always be at his side; but every day at noon, while the king slept, the princesses went out to take a walk." he begins. "So once, while the king was taking his midday nap, and the princesses had gone to take their walk, they somehow disappeared. There was great grief and sorrow all over the land, but the most sorry of all was the king. He sent messengers out throughout his own and other realms, and gave out their names in all the shrines, and had the bells tolled for them in all the steeples; but the princesses were gone, and gone they stayed, and no one knew for sure what became of them. The most common theory was they were carried off by some evil spell."

Intrigued murmurs fill the air as Brock goes on "Well, it wasn't long before the somber news spread far and wide, over land and town, and over many lands; before it came to a king in another land, who had twelve sons. So when these princes heard of the twelve king's daughters, they asked their father to go out and seek them. They had to work to get his leave, for he was afraid he would never see them again, but they all fell down on their knees before the king, and begged so hard and so long, he eventually relented. He prepared a ship for them, and put Ritter the Red, a knight who was equally at home at sea, as its captain."

"Ooh"s fill the air at the mention of the cowardly knight's name--usually things never ended well for him when he had a role, usually because of his own greed and cruelty. "So they sailed a long, long time, landed on every shore they came to, and hunted and asked about the princesses, but they neither heard nor saw any sign of them." Brock explains. "Seven years passed by, until one day a strong storm blew up, and everyone had to work from sunup to sundown just to stay afloat. But eventually, the storm subsided. They were all so weary with work and the rough weather, they fell fast asleep in the blink of an eye; all but the youngest prince--who was named Brian. He could get no rest, and couldn't get to sleep at all."

He paces the stage as he continues "So as he was pacing the deck in insomnia, the ship came to a little island, and on the island ran a little Growlithe, and it barked at the ship as if it wanted to come on board. So Prince Brian went to that side of the deck, and tried to coax the Growlithe, and whistled and whistled to him, but the more he whistled and coaxed, the more the Growlithe barked and snarled. Well, he thought it a shame the Growlithe had to run and starve, so he concluded that it must have come there from a ship that had been lost in the storm; but still he thought he could not help it, for he couldn't put out the lifeboat by himself, and as for the others, they all slept so soundly, he wouldn't wake them for the sake of a Growlithe. But the weather was so calm and still; and he said to himself; 'Come what may, I must go on shore and save that Growlithe,"

He pushes against an imagined object as he continues "So he began to try to launch the lifeboat, and he found it far easier than he thought." He easily shoves the imagined lifeboat away to illustrate his point. "So he rowed ashore, and went up to the Growlithe; but every time he tried to catch it, it jumped on one side, and Prince Brian followed it till he found himself inside a great grand castle. Then the Growlithe transformed into a lovely princess; and there, on the bench, sat a man so big and ugly, he gave Prince Brian the willies."

"Please don't be afraid, for I know well enough what you want." he explains in a deep and gentle voice for the man. There are twelve of you, and you are looking for the twelve princesses that are lost. I know very well where they are; they're with my lord and master, and there they sit, each of them on her chair, and comb his hair; for he has twelve heads. You have sailed seven years, but you'll have to sail seven more years before you find them. As for you, you might stay here and welcome, and have my daughter Lila; but you must first slay him, for he's a hard master to all of us, and we're all weary of him, and when he's dead I will be king in his stead..."

He then shows the audience a prop sword in its scabbard. "But first see if you can brandish this sword."

Laughter goes up as Brock tries to draw the "heavy" sword. "Prince Brian saw an old sword which hung on the wall, but he could hardly lift it. The man, who was actually a troll prince, gave Prince Brian a potion of strength. When he drank it, he could brandish the sword as easily as if it had been his own."

More laughter goes up as Brock draws the prop sword and performs a few fighting moves with it. "Now, when you get on board," he explains as troll prince, "you must hide the sword in your cabin, so Ritter the Red doesn't see it; he's not worthy enough to wield it, but he'll get jealous of you, and try to take your life. When seven years are almost up," all this well happen again; bad weather will come on you, with a great storm, and when it is over you'll all be sleepy. Then you must take the sword and row ashore, and so you'll come to a castle where all sorts of guards will stand - Mightyenas, and Ursarings; but you need not be afraid of them, for they'll all come and bow at your feet. But when you come inside the castle, you'll soon see the troll; he sits in a splendid chamber in grand attire and array; twelve heads he has of his own, and the princesses sit round them, each on her chair, and comb his heads, and that's a work you can guess they don't like. Then you must hurry, and cut off one head after the other as fast as you can; for if he wakes up and spots you, he'll eat you alive."

As himself, he continues "So Prince Brian went on board with the sword, and he kept in mind what he had learned." After sheathing the prop sword, he continues "The others still were fast asleep, and he hid the sword in his cabin, so that neither Ritter the Red nor any of the rest saw it. Eventually favorable winds started to blow again, so he woke up the others, and they continued on their way."

Once he is back in his usual spot at center stage, Brock continues "Well, after the seven years were almost up, everything happened as the troll had said. A great storm blew up that lasted three days, and when it had subsided, all the rest grew sleepy and went to rest; but Prince Brian rowed ashore, and the guards fell at his feet, and so he came to the castle. When he got inside the chamber, there sat the king fast asleep as the troll prince had said, and the twelve princesses sat each on her chair and combed one of his heads. Prince Brian beckoned to the princesses to get out of the way; they pointed to the troll, and pleaded with him to flee, but he kept on signaling to them to get out of the way, and then they understood that he wanted to set them free, and hurried away softly one after the other, and as fast as they went, he cut off the troll king's heads, till the blood gushed out like a great red river."

Some cheers go up as Brock draws the sword and performs a few more fighting moves, as if dueling a pantomime opponent. Once sure his imagined opponent is defeated, he goes on "When the troll was dead, he rowed on board and hid his sword." He sheathes the prop sword again, then goes on "He thought he had done enough, and as he couldn't get rid of the body by himself, he thought it only fair they should help him a little. So he woke them all up, and said it was a shame they should be snoring there, when he had found the princesses, and set them free from the troll. The others only laughed at him, and said he had been just as sound asleep as they, and only dreamed that he had done what he said he did; for if anyone was to set the princesses free, it was far more likely it would be one of them. But Prince Brian told them everything, and when they followed him to shore and saw the river of blood, and the castle, and the troll, and the twelve heads, and the princesses, they saw plain enough that he had spoken the truth, and helped him to throw the body and the heads into the sea. So all were glad and happy, but none more so than the princesses, who got rid of having to sit there and comb the troll's hair all day. Of all the silver and gold and precious things that were there, they took as much as the ship could hold, and so they went on board altogether princes and princesses alike."

But when they had gone a bit out on the sea, the princesses said they had forgotten in their joy their gold crowns, they lay behind in a press, and they would be so glad to have them. So when none of the others was willing to go get them, Prince Brian said..."

In a mimic of Ash, he explains "I have already dared so much, I can very well go back for the gold crowns too, if you will only weigh anchor and wait till I come again."

As himself, he goes on "But when he had gone back so far that they couldn't see him any more, Ritter the Red, who would have been glad enough to have been their leader, and to have the youngest princess Lila, said..."

In an older version of himself for Ritter the Red, he groans "It's no use to be lying here still waiting for him, for all we know he my never come back."

"They all knew, too, how the king had given him all power and authority to sail or not as he saw fit; and so he had the other princes all say it was he that had saved the princesses, and if anyone said anything different, he would die." Brock explains as himself. "The princes didn't dare do anything else than what Ritter the Red told them to do, and so they sailed away."

Gasps go up at the turn of events. "Meanwhile, Prince Brian rowed to land, went up to the castle, found the press with the gold crowns in it, and at last lugged it down to the boat, and shoved off; but when he came where he ought to have seen the ship, it was gone." Brock explains. "Well, as he couldn't see it anywhere, he easily figured out what had happened. Rowing after them was no good, and so he was forced to turn around and row back to land. He was afraid to stay alone in the castle all night, but there was no other house to be had, so he mustered his courage, locked all the doors and gates, and lay down in a room where there was a bed already made. But fearful he was, and got still more afraid when something began to creak and groan and quake in the wall and the roof, as if the whole castle were being torn asunder. Then something plunged down close by the side of his bed, as if it were a whole cartload of hay. Then all was still again; but after a while he heard a voice, which bade him not to be afraid, and said..."

"Here am I, brave Yukan, come to help you all I can." he proclaims in a mimic of Morgan "But the first thing you must do when you wake in the morning, will be to go to the barn and fetch four barrels of rye for me. I will have them for breakfast."

As himself, he goes on "When he woke up, he saw a huge and majestic Talonflame. So Prince Brian went down to the barn to fetch four barrels of rye for Yukan, and when she had eaten she told Prince Brian to hang the press with the gold crowns on one side of his neck, and as much gold and silver as would weigh it down on the other side, then get on his back and hold on tight. So away they went till the wind whistled after them, and so it wasn't long before they passed the ship. Prince Brian wanted to go on board for his sword, for he was afraid someone would see it. But Yukan assured him...""

As Yukan, he warns "Ritter the Red will never see it, but if you go on board, he'll try to kill you, for he has set his heart on having Princess Lila; but don't worry about her, for she keeps a sword by her side in bed every night."

He continues as himself "So after a long, long time, they came to the island where the troll prince lived; and Prince Brian was welcomed so heartily, the festivities seemed to last forever. The troll prince couldn't thank him enough for slaying his Bigwig and Master, and so made him king of the trolls, and if Prince Brian had been willing he might easily have got the troll king's daughter, and half the kingdom. But he had set his heart on Princess Lila, and was even willing to go after their ship. The troll king told him to be patient--they still had nearly seven years to sail before they got home. As for Princess Lila the troll king repeated what Yukan said...."

"You need not worry about her, for she keeps a sword by her side in bed." he assures the audience in a gentle deep voice. "If you don't believe me, you can go on board and see for yourself."

As himself, he narrates "So when they sailed by another great storm blew up, and when Prince Brian went on board they all slept, and each princess lay beside her prince; but Princess Lila lay alone with a sword beside her in the bed, and on the floor by the bedside lay Ritter the Red. Prince Brian took the sword and rowed ashore again, and none of them were the wiser. But Prince Brian couldn't rest, so when the end of the seven years drew near, and only three weeks remained, the troll king said...

As the troll king, he instructs "Now you may get ready, since you can't stay with us; and you may borrow my iron boat, which sails on its own if you only sing..."

He then sings in character Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

Cheers go up at the familiar spellsong, never mind Brock's shaky bass range. "In that boat there is an iron sword, and that sword you must lift a little when you see the ship straight ahead of you, and then they'll get such a gust, they'll forget to look at you." he continues in character. "But when you get alongside them, you must lift the club a little again, and then they'll get such a storm they'll have something else to do than to stare at you; and when you have passed them you must lift the sword a third time, but you must always be sure and lay it down carefully again, or else there'll be such a storm, both you and them will be wrecked and lost. Now when you have landed, you have no need to worry at all about the boat; just turn it around, and cast off, and sing again..."

He sings as the troll king again Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..., even though the audience can clearly hear him struggling to hit the deep, low notes despite being in character.

Some mild applause goes up for Brock's valiant attempt to sing bass. "When he set out they gave him so much gold and silver, and so many other costly things, and clothes and linen which the troll princess had sewn and woven for him all that time, that he was far richer than any of his brothers." he explains as himself, almost relieved to be speaking in his normal voice.

He grins--his next performance is in a range he knows he can hit! "Well, he had no sooner seated himself in the boat and sang..."

He then sings as Ash Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

"...than away went the boat, and when he saw the ship, he lifted up the sword, and they got such a gust, they forgot to look at him. When he was alongside the ship, he lifted the sword again, and then such a storm blew up, that the white foam flew about the ship, and the billows rolled over the deck, and they had something else to do besides stare at him; and when he had passed them he lifted the sword a third time, and then the storm and the wind worsened, they had still less time to look at him, and make him out." he explains as himself. "So he reached land long before the ship; and when he had gotten all his treasure out of the boat, he cast it off again, turned it around and sang..."

He sings as Ash Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

"And off went the boat." he adds as himself. "Then he disguised himself as a sailor-whether the troll king had told him to do that, or it was his own idea, I don't know-and went up to the castle and stood before the king, who asked him if it were true that he had seen anything of the princesses.

"Aye, et," he replies in a very convincing sailor's brogue. "I've seen them sure enough, but I don't know whether they're still alive, for when I last caught sight of them, the weather was so foul we in our ship were cast away; but if they're still alive they'll come safe home in a fortnight or perhaps before."

As himself, he continues "When the king heard that, he was almost beside himself with joy; and when the time came that the sailor had said they would come, the king went down to the shore to meet them; and there was joy and gladness over the whole kingdom when the ship came sailing in with the princes and princesses and Ritter the Red. But no one was gladder than the old king, who had got his daughters back again. The eleven eldest princesses too, were elated to see their father again, but Princess Lila, who was to have Ritter the Red, who said that he had set them all free and slain the troll, she cried and was always sad. The king noticed this, and asked why she wasn't happy like the others; she hadn't anything to be sorry for now that she was free, and home, and was to have such a husband as Ritter the Red. But she didn't dare say anything, for Ritter the Red had said he would kill anyone who told the truth about what really happened."

"Boo"s fill the air for Ritter the Red as the audience awaits how he will receive his just desserts. "But one day, when they were hard at work sewing and stitching the bridal array, in came a man in sailor's garb with a peddler's pack on his back, and asked if the princesses would buy something fine for the wedding." Brock continues. "He had so many wares and costly things, both gold and silver. They looked at his wares, and they looked at him, for they thought they had seen both him and many of his costly items before."

"He who has so many fine things," he notes in a mimic of May for Princess Lila, "must surely have something still more precious, and which suits us better even than these."

"Maybe I have," he grins as Ash.

"Oh"s fill the air as the audience figures out who the peddler really is. "But all the others shushed her," and reminded her about what Ritter the Red had said he would do." Brock warns as himself. "Some time later, the princesses sat and looked out the window, and Prince Brian came again with the great cloak around him, and the press with the gold crowns at his back. When he got into the palace hall he unlocked the press before the princesses, and when each of them knew her own gold crown again, Princess Lila said..."

"I think it only right that he who set us free should get what is his due; and he is not Ritter the Red, but this man who has brought us our gold crowns. It is him that set us free." he announces as Princess Lila.

Cheers go up as Brock concludes as himself "Then Prince Brian threw off the sailor's cloak, and stood there far finer and grander than all the rest; and so the old king had Ritter the Red put to death. The joy in the palace grew even more; each took his own bride, and there was a wedding so grand, it was heard of and talked about over twelve kingdoms, at least."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 187: The World Beneath the Well)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Week 187: The World Beneath The Well

(real tale: The Cistern)


The crowd roars as Brock arrives on the stage "In a far away land, there lived three princes." he begins. "The elder two were going hunting one day, and did not want to take their youngest brother--whose name was Salvadore--with them. Their mother the queen asked them to let him go with them, but they stuck to their guns, if you will. Prince Salvadore, however, followed them, so they had to take him with them anyway."

Giggles go up as the audience pictures how the other two princes reacted. "They came to a beautiful plain, where they found a large, deep well, and ate their lunch nearby." Brock goes on. "When they were done, the eldest brother got the idea to throw Prince Salvadore into the well, so that way he'd be out of their hair. "So he asked his little brother..."

In his best mimic of Gary, he asks "Would you like to explore this old well? There could be treasure!"

As himself, he goes on "Excited by the idea of treasure, Prince Salvadore consented, and they lowered him down. When he reached the bottom, he found three handsome rooms and an old woman, who said to him..."

"What are you doing here?" he asks in a gentle female voice.

"I am trying to find my way out; tell me how to get back to the surface." he requests in a mimic of Ash.

"Three princesses in the power of an evil wizard are trapped down here; take care that you do not fall under his spell yourself." he warns as the old woman.

"Tell me what to do; I am not afraid." he replies as Prince Salvadore.

He points at an imagined door and instructs as the old woman "Knock at that door."

He interjects as himself "When he did..." He knocks on the stage floor for effect. "a princess--whose name was Orla--met him."

"What has brought you here?" he asks in a mimic of Morgan.

"I have come to rescue you; tell me what I have to do." he requests as Prince Salvadore.

He shows the audience a prop ruby. "Take this ruby and pass through that door." he instructs as Princess Orla. "My sister is there, who can give you better directions than I can."

After pocketing the ruby, he interjects as himself "He knocked at that door..." He knocks on the stage floor again. "..and the middle princess--whose name was Ariana--met him. She gave him a sapphire..." He shows the audience a prop sapphire. "and directed him to knock at a third door." He knocks on the stage floor again. "It opened and the youngest princess, whose name was Christina, met him. She somehow recognized Prince Salvadore..."

"Ah! Salvadore! What have you come here for?" he gasps in a mimic of Serena.

"I have come to rescue you; tell me what to do." he explains as Prince Salvadore.

He shows the audience a prop emerald. "Take this; when you are in need, only sing 'Seios, higarima laisido' and the emerald will obey you." he instructs as Princess Christina. "Come on in and eat something, thentake this bottle; the wizard is about to wake up. Hide yourself behind this door, and when he wakes up he will ask you: 'Why are you here?' You will answer, 'I have come to duel you; but you must agree to take the smaller Ponyta and sword than mine, because I am smaller than you.' You will see a fountain which will invite you to drink; do not drink from it, for all the statues you see there are humans who have become statues drinking that water; when you are thirsty drink from this bottle."

As himself, he continues "Taking Princess Christina's instructions to heart, Prince Salvadore went and knocked at the door." He knocks on the stage floor again. "Just then, the wizard woke up and said..."

"Why are you here?" he demands in a deep gravely voice for the wizard.

"I have come to duel you, but you must agree to take the smaller Ponyta and sword than mine, because I am smaller than you." he replies as Prince Salvadore.

As himself, he goes on "The fountain invited him to drink, but Prince Salvadore remembered what Princess Christina said, and did not drink from it. They battled..." Some bemused giggles go up as Brock pantomimes fighting an imagined opponent. "and in one blow Prince Salvadore cut off the wizard's head. He took the head and sword, went to the princesses and said...

"Get your things together, and let's go, for my brothers are still waiting at the entrance of the well." he calls as Prince Salvadore.

As himself, he asks the audience "I suppose you're wondering what Prince Salvadore's brothers were doing while Prince Salvadore was on his adventure in the world beneath the well?"

Chants of "Tell us!" fill the room. "Well, after they had lowered their youngest brother into the well, they turned around and returned to the royal palace." Brock assures the crowd.

"Where is your brother?" he asks in his standard "king" voice.

"We lost him in the forest, and could not find him." he explains as the eldest brother.

"Quickly!" Go and find my son, or it will be your lives for his life." he orders as the king.

As himself, he continues "So they departed, and on the way met a man with a rope and a bell, and took them with them. When they reached the well, they lowered the rope with the bell. 'If he is alive he will hear the bell and climb up; if he is dead, then how will we face our father?' they anxiously thought. When they lowered the rope, Prince Salvadore had the princesses climb up one by one. When Princess Orla emerged, the oldest brother said..."

"Oh, what a pretty girl! This one shall be my bride." he grins as the eldest brother.

He interjects as himself "When Princess Ariana emerged, the middle brother said she was his. But Princess Christina did not want to climb up, and said to Prince Salvadore..."

"You climb up first; if you do not, your brothers will leave you here." he warns as Princess Christina.

"They argued about it for a while, until finally he prevailed, and she climbed up." he intones as himself. "Sure enough, when she emerged the two brothers took her, left Salvadore in the well, and returned to the palace. When they got there, they said to their father..."

"We have looked for Salvadore, but we could not find him." he sighs as the eldest brother. "But we have found these three young girls, and now we wish to marry them."

He continues "As they agreed, the eldest brother took Princess Orla for his bride, and the middle brother chose Princess Ariana as his bride. Princess Christina they would marry off to someone else."

"But what happened to Prince Salvadore?" a boy worries as his father lovingly squeezes his hand to assure him all will eventually be well in fantasyland.

"Well, as Prince Salvadore was sitting there in the dark and damp well, all alone and contemplating his predicament, he felt something his pockets and touched the ruby." Brock shows the boy and the others in the audience the prop ruby.

He then proceeds to sing to the ruby as Prince Salvadore <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i>, lighting up his face in an ethereal red glow.

"..and in a flash of red light, he found himself warped out of the well." he explains as himself. "He went to the royal city, and met a silversmith, who assumed he was a young man seeking his fortune and took him in as an apprentice, feeding and clothing him. While he was with the silversmith, the king commanded that a silver laurel leaf wedding crown be made for his oldest son, who was to be married.
"
"You must make me a royal wedding crown for my son, and it must be completed by tomorrow evening." he instructs as the king.

"He gave him ten ounces of fine silver to work with, and sent him on his way." he continues as himself. "When he got home, the silversmith was greatly disturbed, for he had very little time to make a wedding crown, and royal wedding crowns usually took at the very least several days to make."

"Master, why are you so sad?" he asks as Prince Salvadore.

"Take these ten ounces of silver--I am going to seek Arceus' protection, for there is nothing else I can do." he explains in a mimic of Flint.

He explains as himself "See, in olden times a shrine of Arceus had the right of sanctuary; so whoever was wrongfully accused, in danger, or otherwise overwhelmed fled to the shrine, and the authorities could not harm the person--this was commonly called 'seeking Arceus' protection' or 'seeking sanctuary'."

"Oh"s fill the air at this.

As Prince Salvadore, he muses "I will see if I can make this wedding crown. My master is seeking sanctuary for a trifle."

He continues as himself. "So he made the wedding crown himself."

He looks out on the enthralled audience. "Anyone want to guess how he did it?"

Enthusiastic suggestions waft in his direction, but then one girl in the right hand section near the front calls out "One of the magic jewels!"

Brock smiles as he reveals the prop ruby again, confirming the girl's guess. "He took out the ruby and sang to it..."

As Prince Salvadore, he sings <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i> again, making the ruby glow.

He then reveals a prop silver laurel leaf crown. "When it was done he gave the wedding crown he had conjured to the silversmith's wife, who took it to her husband. When the silversmith saw that he did not need to seek sanctuary after all, he went to the king, who, well pleased, invited him to the wedding feast that evening. When he broke the news at home, the apprentice said..."

"Take me to the feast." he asks as Prince Salvadore.

"How can I take you when you have no suitable clothes fit to wear?" he gasps as the silversmith. "I will buy you some, and when there is another feast I will take you."

As himself, he narrates "That night, the silversmith departed, but Prince Salvadore took the ruby and sang..."

He then sings as Prince Salvadore <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i>....to some cheers as the ruby glows again.

When the applause dies down and the ruby's glow fades, Brock continues as himself "...and in a flash of light, he was dressed like a prince, and went to the palace, where he hid in the kitchen, and saw his brother married, but his master was none the wiser. A few days later, the king summoned the silversmith again to make another wedding crown within twenty-four hours. The same thing happened--the apprentice made a wedding crown more beautiful than the first, with the aid of the sapphire."

He reveals the sapphire and sings as Prince Salvadore <i>Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...</i>, making the sapphire glow blue.

As himself, he continues "The smith took it to the king, unaware that his apprentice had also attended the feast. After a while, they wanted to marry off Princess Christina, but she said..."

"Who wants me must wait a year, a month, and a day." he instructs as Princess Christina.

As himself, he continues "She had no peace wondering why Prince Salvadore did not appear--he had the ruby, the sapphire, and the emerald, after all."

Intrigued murmurs fill the air at this. "After a year, a month, and a day had passed, the wedding was arranged, and the smith had orders to make another wedding crown more beautiful than the first two." Brock continues "This was so that no one could say that because the girl was younger they treated her worse than the others."

Murmurs of understanding waft towards the stage. "Again the smith was in despair, and the apprentice had to make, by the aid of his magic emerald, a better and larger wedding crown than the others." Brock goes on.

He reveals the prop emerald and sings as Prince Salvadore <i>Karuto, iichiida shou...</i>, making the emerald glow green.

As himself, he continues "The king was astonished when he saw the beautiful crown, and again invited the silversmith to the wedding feast. The smith returned home sorrowful that he had to leave his apprentice behind once again. After Salvatore had seen him depart, he took his magic emerald and conjured splendid clothes and carriages."

He sings to the emerald in character <i>Karuto,iichiida shou...</i>

He goes on as himself. "When Prince Salvadore reached the palace, he did not go to the kitchen, but before the bride and groom could say "I do," and the priest had said that if there were any objections, speak now or forever hold your peace, he nearly screamed..."

"I OBJECT!!!!" he yells as Prince Salvadore, startling some in the crowd.

He explains as himself "He revealed that Princess Orla had given him the ruby, Princess Ariana the sapphire, and Princess Christina remembered that she had given the emerald to him, making Prince Salvadore her rightful bridegroom."

He concludes "Princess Christina and Prince Salvadore were married right there, and the silversmith was amazed at who his apprentice really was. Prince Salvadore thankfully forgave his master, and his magic jewels led him and Princess Christina on many more adventures--but that is another story for another day!"

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 188: The Wonderful Berry)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 188: The Wonderful Berry

(real tale: How The Monkey Became a Trickster)


"Once upon a time, when Pokemon could speak the words of humans, there was a beautiful garden where all kinds of Berries grew." Brock begins, to some fascinated "mmm"s as the audience pictures what the magnificent garden may have looked like. "Many Pokemon lived in the garden, and they were allowed eat the Berries whenever they were hungry." Brock goes on. "But they were asked to follow one simple rule--They had to bow before the Berry tree, call it by name, and ask for some of its fruit. They had to be very careful to remember the tree's correct name, and especially not forget to say 'please.' and 'thank you'." Brock continues. "It was also very important that they remember not to be greedy, and leave plenty of Berries for the other Pokemon, and plenty to adorn the tree itself and to produce seeds so that other trees might grow."

"For example..." he notes as he starts towards stage right. "If someone wanted to eat Figy Berries, they had to say, 'Miss Figy, may I please have a taste of your fruit?' or, if they wished to eat Oran Berries they had to say, 'Miss Oran, may I please have a taste of your fruit?'"

Giggles go up at Brock bowing before the pantomime trees. "Now, in one corner of the garden grew the most splendid tree of all." Brock continues as he saunters back towards center stage. "It was tall and beautiful, and the rosy-cheeked Berries on its wide spreading branches looked wonderfully tempting. No Pokemon had ever tasted that Berry, for no Pokemon could ever remember its name."

Some gentle laughter goes up at this. "In a tiny house near the edge of the garden lived Shaymin, who knew the names of all the Berry trees which grew in the garden." he explains. "The Pokemon often went to her and asked the name of the wonderful Berry tree, but the tree was so far away from Shaymin's tiny house, no Pokemon could ever remember the long, hard name by the time they reached the Berry tree."

He grins as he intones "That included a certain crafty Pikachu named Sorin."

Cheers go up at the mention of the Pikachu trickster. "True to form, one day Sorin thought of a trick." Brock went on. "You may not know this, but Sorin can play the guitar."

More cheers go up as Brock's spotlight expands to include a chair and his own guitar. "He always played when the Pokemon gathered together in the garden to dance and hold a grand sing along." Brock explains as he checks the tuning of his own instrument. "These sing-alongs included such classics like..." He then proceeds to sing and play the first line of "Yellow Submarine". <i>In the town, where I was born, lived a man who sailed to sea...</i>

Some people in the audience start to join in the classic song, but Brock lifts a hand to quiet the singing. "and..." He then sings <i>In a cavern, in a canyon, excavating for a mine, lived a miner, forty-niner, and his daughter Clementine...</i>

But before the children in the audience can join in, Brock starts another song. "and..." He next sings <i>I'll walk in the rain by your side...I'll cling to the warmth of your hand...</i>

The audience begins to sing along, but Brock interjects "and a popular favorite among the young Pokemon..." He then sings <i>We come on the Sloop John B., my grandfather and
me. Around Nassau town we did roam....</i>

Giggles and some applause go up "So Sorin went to Shaymin's tiny house, carrying his guitar by his side. When she told him the long hard name of the wonderful Berry tree, he needed no time to think up a little melody to it, and sang it over and over again all the way from Shaymin's tiny house to the corner of the garden where the wonderful Berry tree grew."

After strumming an expectant A minor chord, he sings to a familiar tune <i>Anat za za, aridavi deen lava itsplan den lan den lan do, lava ii pa pa, bari bari bala rilibilibi liku len den lan do lava rin lan ten lan day alo, barala lavalava lukuluku dayavu, a rin lan ten lan den lan do barala katakata kutukutu deyavu....</i>

The audience roars with laughter when they realize what Brock is really singing. "When any of the other Pokemon met him and asked him what song he was singing, he never said a word." Brock continues, still playing his simple A minor progression all the while, "He marched straight on, playing his little song over and over and over, and singing softly the long hard name."

He then sings again. <i>Anat za za, aridavi deen lava itsplan den lan den lan do, lava ii pa pa, bari bari bala rilibilibi liku len den lan do lava rin lan ten lan day alo, barala lavalava lukuluku dayavu, a rin lan ten lan den lan do barala katakata kutukutu deyavu. Anat za za, aridavi deen lava itsplan den lan den lan do, lava ii pa pa, bari bari bala rilibilibi liku len den lan do lava rin lan ten lan day alo, barala lavalava lukuluku dayavu, a rin lan ten lan den lan do barala katakata kutukutu deyavu....</i>

When his last A minor chord fades away, he continues "Finally, he reached the corner of the garden where the wonderful Berry tree grew. He had never seen anything so beautiful. The rosy-cheeked fruit glowed in the bright sunlight. Sorin could hardly wait to make his bow, say the long hard name, and ask for the fruit. It helped that the Berries had a beautiful color and a delicious smell!"

Giggles go up at this. "Sorin had never in all his life been so close to anything which smelled so good. He took a big bite...."

He grins over a "wah-wah-wah-wah" melody "and you should've seen the look on his face!"

The crowd roars with laughter as they picture Sorin's yuck face. "That beautiful sweet smelling Berry was bitter and sour, and it had a nasty taste to boot." Brock went on. "He threw it away from him as far as he could." He plays a soft gliss on one string for effect.

He concludes "Sorin never forgot the tree's long hard name and the little tune he had sung. Nor did he forget how the Berries tasted. He never took a bite of it again; but, after that, one of his favorite tricks was to treat the other Pokemon to the wonderful Berry just to see their yuck faces when they tasted it."

Laughter and applause fill the air as Brock sets his guitar aside and takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 189: Brendan and the Giant)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Brock and the gang get into the St. Patrick's Day spirit with an Irish tale(or as an Ireland based area would be called in my imagined Pokeworld, the Eire region)

Week 189: Brendan and the Giant

(real tale: The Weaver's Son and the Giant of the White Hill)

The familiar chords of a harp cause wild cheers to fill the air as Brock arrives in an exotic green, blue, and purple minstrel's costume. "Thank you all for such a fine welcome!" he begins in character as minstrel Flynn Devine. "Hear now the tale of a brave lad named Brendan..."

With that, he begins "There was once a weaver--we'll call him Liam--who lived at the edge of a forest; and when he had nothing to burn, he went out with his daughter--we'll call her Fiona--to get wood for the fire. They gathered two bundles, and were just about ready to carry them home, when who should come along but a splendid-looking stranger on a beautiful Rapidash. And he said to Liam..."

"My good man, will you give me that girl of yours?" he asks in an older version of himself.

"Indeed I will not," he retorts in a mimic of Callum for Liam.

"I'll give you her weight in gold," he offers as the stranger, as he scatters some prop gold coins on the stage.

As himself, he continues "So Liam went home with the gold and without Fiona. He buried the gold in the garden, without letting his wife know what he had done. When she asked him where Fiona was, he replied..."

"I sent her on an errand to a neighbor's house." he explains as Liam.

As himself, he continues "Night came with Fiona nowhere to be found. The next time he went to get wood, Liam took his second daughter--we'll call her Darina--to the forest and when they had two bundles gathered, and were ready to go home, a second stranger came on a beautiful Rapidash, much finer than the first, and asked Liam if he would he give him Darina's hand in marriage.

"I will not," he retorts as Liam.

"Well," he muses as the stranger, "I'll give you her weight in silver if you'll let her go with me."

Awed murmurs fill the air as Brock scatters some prop silver coins on the stage for effect. "So Liam carried home the silver and buried it in the garden with the gold, and Darina went away with the man. When he went to the forest again, the weaver took his third daughter--we'll call her Mairin--with him; and when they were ready to go home, a third man came aboard a beautiful Rapidash, Liam gave Mairin's weight in jewels..."

"Ooh"s and "ahs" go up as Brock scatters some prop jewels on the stage. "...and the man took her away. Liam buried the jewels with the gold and silver. Now, the wife was crying and moaning night and day for her three daughters, and gave Liam no rest till he told her everything."

After clearing the stage, Brock goes on "Now, a son was born to them; and when the boy--we'll call him Brendan--grew up and started school, he heard how his three sisters had been carried away for their weight in gold, silver, and jewels; and every day when he came home he saw how his mother was crying and wandering outside in grief through the fields and pits and ditches, so he asked her what was the matter; but she wouldn't tell him a word."

He pauses for a moment... "Finally, he came home from school crying one day, and said..."

Just then, Ash--wearing his own green, blue, and gold minstrel's outfit--dashes on the stage, feigning tears. "I'll not sleep three nights in one house till I find my three sisters." he vows.

"Then he said to his mother..." Brock narrates.

"Make me three loaves of bread, mother, for I am going on a journey." Ash requests.

"The next day, he asked if she had the bread ready. She said it was, and she was crying bitterly all the time." Brock narrates some more.

"I'm going to leave you now, mother," Ash explains to an imagined woman. "I'll come back when I have found my three sisters."

"With that, Brendan set out, and walked on till he was tired and hungry; and then he sat down to eat the bread that his mother had given him, when a man..." Callum arrives on the stage with a cloak concealing his costume as Ash sits down to eat some imagined food. "came up and asked him for something to eat." Callum pantomimes asking the question.

Brock adds as an aside "What Brendan didn't know was that his guest was Arceus in disguise, and was testing his kindness and generosity to others." He adds a soft chord to punctuate his point.

He then continues "Brendan bade his guest sit down, and the two ate till there was not a crumb of bread left."

"Mm"s go up as Callum and Ash pantomime eating. "Brendan told the disguised Arceus about the journey he was on; Then Arceus revealed himself to Brendan..." Callum throws off the cloak to some applause, revealing a white, purple, blue and green costume. "thanked him for his kindness, and said to him..."

"There may not be much use in your going, but here are three things that will serve you well,—the Celestial Blade..." Callum presents Ash with an ornately decorated prop sword. "The Cloth of Plenty...." He next gives Ash a prop cloth. "and the Cloak of Shrouds." He gives Ash a black cloak. "No one--not even a demon--can kill you while you wield the Celestial Blade; and whenever you are hungry or thirsty, all you have to do is to spread the cloth and sing to it in the magical tongue, and any food or drink you want will be there before you. When you put on the Cloak of Shrouds, there won't be a living thing in the world that can see you, and you can go to whatever place you wish if you wrap yourself in it and wish yourself there."

"So Arceus left for the heavens, and Brendan traveled onward with his three holy gifts." Brock continues. "That evening a great storm blew up, and he ran for shelter to a large oak tree. When he got near the tree, his foot slipped, the ground opened, and down he went through the earth till he came to another world far beneath the ground."

Giggles go up as Ash eases himself to his feet in feigned pain. "When he landed in the other world he put on the Cloak of Shrouds...." Brock waits as Ash wraps himself in the black cloak. "and warped away like a blast of wind, and never stopped till he saw a castle in the distance."

Ash unwraps himself as Brock continues "But he found nine gates closed before him, and no way through. Yet he somehow knew in his heart that his eldest sister Fiona lived in that castle. He had not waited long at the gate when a girl came to him and said..."

"Go on out of there; if you don't, you'll be killed." he scolds in a mimic of a young girl.

"Then will you go in," Ash requests, "and tell my sister, the lady of this castle, to come out to me."

As himself, Brock narrates "The girl ran in; and out came Fiona..."

Some cheers go up as Serena--in a red, purple, green, and yellow costume--emerges onstage. "and she asked him..." Brock narrates.

"Why are you here, and what did you come for?" Serena asks Ash.

"I have come here to find my three sisters, who were given away by my father for their weight in gold, silver, and jewels; and I know in my heart you are my eldest sister." Ash explains

"She knew from what he said that he was her brother, so she opened the gates and brought him in, saying..." Brock narrates.

"Don't marvel at anything you see in here. My husband is enchanted. I see him only at night. He goes off every morning, is away all day, and comes home in the evening." Serena cautions.

"Eventually the sun went down; and while they were talking, the husband rushed in, and he made quite the noise." Brock explains. As he approached, he was in the form of a Gogoat, but no sooner did he step in the door, did he become human."

"Who is this that's with you?" he asks Serena in his "older boy" voice.

"Oh! that's my brother, who has come from up above to see me," Serena replies.

"The next morning, when the lord of the castle had stepped outside and became a Gogoat again, he turned to the boy and asked..." Brock then asks Ash in his older voice "Will you stay a few days in my castle? You are welcome."

"Nothing would please me better," Ash replies as Brendan "but I have made a vow never to sleep three nights in one house till I have found my three sisters."

"Well," Brock muses as the lord. "since you must go, here is something for you."

As himself, he interjects "After finding an emerald in his treasure vault...", He hands Ash a prop emerald. "he gave it to Brendan, saying..."

As the lord, he instructs "Keep this; and whenever you are in trouble, take it out, and sing the song 'Seios, higarima laisido'--I will hear it and come help you."

As himself, he continues "So Brendan said goodbye to Fiona..." Ash waves to Serena. "put on the Cloak of Shrouds, and disappeared." Ash wraps himself in the cloak again. "He traveled till he was hungry and tired, then he sat down, took off the Cloak of Shrouds..." Ash unwraps himself. "spread the Cloth of Plenty..." Ash spreads the cloth before him. "and wished for meat and drink."

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... Ash sings for effect.

"After he had eaten and drunk his fill, he folded up the cloth..." Brock waits for Ash to do this, then continues "put on the Cloak of Shrouds..." Ash wraps himself in the cloak again. "and went ahead, passing every wind that was before him, and leaving every wind that was behind. About an hour before sunset he saw the castle where his middle sister Darina lived. When he reached the gate, a girl came out to him and said..."

"Get away from that gate, or you'll be killed." he gasps as a young girl.

"I'll not leave here till my sister Darina comes out and speaks to me." Ash replies.

"The girl ran in, and out came Darina." Brock narrates as Serena returns, now in the role of Darina. "When she heard his story and his father's name, she knew in her heart that he was her brother, and said..."

"Come into the castle, but think nothing of what you'll see or hear. I don't see my husband from morning till night. He goes and comes in a strange form, but he is a man at night." Serena cautions.

"About sunset there was a terrible noise, and the lord of the castle arrived in the form of a Gyarados." Brock continues. "But as soon as he passed through the door, he was human again."

"Who is that with you?" He asks Serena in his "lord" voice. "I thought you would let no one into the castle while I was away."

"Oh! this is my brother, who has come to see me," Serena explains.

"If he's your brother, he's welcome," Brock replies.

As himself, he goes on "They had dinner, and then slept soundly till morning. When the lord of the castle stepped outside, becoming a Gyarados again, he turned to Brendan and said..."

"Please, stay here with us a while." he offers as the lord.

"I cannot," Ash sighs as Brendan. "I made a vow never to sleep three nights in one house till I had seen my three sisters. I must go on now and find my third sister."

"The Gyarados took a sapphire that was embedded between its fins..." Brock hands Ash a prop sapphire. "and gave it to Brendan, saying..."

As the lord, he instructs Ash "If any difficulty meets you, or danger approaches, sing the song 'Rou iitsa ron selga vichii' and I will come and help you."

As himself, he continues "With that, they parted. Brendan put on the Cloak of Shrouds..." Ash wraps himself in the cloak. "and away he went, more swiftly than any wind. He never stopped till he was hungry and thirsty. Then he sat down, took off his Cloak of Shrouds..." Ash unwraps himself from the cloak. "spread the Cloth of Plenty...."

After spreading the prop cloth before him, Ash sings Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...

"...and ate his fill..." Brock continues as Ash pantomimes eating. "when he had eaten his fill, he went on till sundown, when he saw the castle where his third sister Mairin lived."

He explains as Ash tidies up the props. "All three castles were near the sea. Neither sister knew what place she was in, and neither knew where the other two were living."

"Oh" go up as the audience puts two and two together. "Mairin took her brother in just as Fiona and Darina had done, telling him not to wonder at anything he saw." Brock narrates as Serena, now playing Mairin, welcomes Ash to a pantomime castle. "They had just gotten inside when a roaring noise was heard, and Brendan saw the biggest Braviary he had ever seen approaching. But as soon as he had came inside, he was human."

"Who is that stranger there with you?" he asks Serena.

"This is my brother, who has come to see me." Serena replies as Mairin, gesturing to Ash.

"They all had a fine dinner and slept well that night." Brock continues as himself. "When the lord of the castle stepped outside and became a Braviary again, he found a ruby hidden in his wing, and gave it to Brendan."

He hands Ash a prop ruby, and instructs as the lord "Keep this; it may serve you well. If you are ever in danger and need help, sing the song 'Karuto, iichiida shou', and I will come help you."

Brock grins. "The third sister had been found; and Brendan went upstairs with Mairin to look around, and to look at the sea. Soon he saw a great white hill, and on the top of the hill a castle."

"In that castle on the white hill beyond," Serena explains as Mairin, "lives a giant, who stole from her home the most beautiful lady in the world. Many a hero and champion and adventurer and prince have tried to rescue her from the giant and marry her; but the giant conquers them, cuts their heads off, and then eats their flesh. When he has picked the bones clean, he throws them out; and the whole place around the castle is white with the bones of the ones that the giant has eaten."

"I must go," Ash vows as Brendan, "to that castle to know I can kill the giant and save the fair lady."

Brock reappears in a spotlight, now playing his guitar. "So he bid Mairin goodbye, put on the Cloak of Shrouds, took the Celestial Blade with him, and was soon inside the castle. The giant was grappling with a party of champions outside. When Brendan saw the lady--we'll call her Neve--he took off the Cloak of Shrouds and spoke to her."

"Oh!" Misty, as Neve, gasps when she sees Ash, "What can you do against the giant? No one has ever come to this castle without losing their lives. The giant kills every comer; and no one has ever come here so big that the giant did not eat him at one meal."

"Is there no way to kill him?" Ash asks as the audience speculates and admires Misty's red, blue, and gold outfit with exotic bird feathers.

"I think not," Misty sighs.

"Well, if you'll give me something to eat, I'll stay here; and when the giant comes in, I'll do my best to kill him. But don't let him know that I am here." Ash tells Misty.

"Then he put on the Cloak of Shrouds..." Brock waits for Ash to wrap himself in the cloak. "and no one could see him. When the giant came in, he had the bodies of two men on his back. He threw down the bodies and told Neve to get them ready for his dinner. Then he sniffed around, and said..."

"There's someone here; I smell the blood of a human." he growls in a deeper version of himself over a fearful chord.

"I don't think you do," Misty assures Brock as Neve; "I can't see anyone."

"Neither can I," Brock muses as the giant; "but I smell a man."

The ringing of a sword being drawn prompts Brock to pick up his pace into the Zelda theme. "With that, Brendan drew the Celestial Blade, and when the giant was struck, he ran in the direction of the blow to give one back; then he was struck on the other side."

The crowd claps along with the Zelda theme while Ash, with the black cloak billowing behind him like a superhero's cape, pantomime fights an imagined giant onstage and Brock gives the play by play. "They went at one another this way, the giant and Brendan with the Cloak of Shrouds on him, till the giant had at least fifty wounds, and was covered in blood. Every minute he was getting a slash of a sword, but never could give one back."

After three repetitions, the Zelda theme slows down. "Finally, the giant called...." Brock switches to his "giant" voice again. "Whoever you are, wait till tomorrow, and I'll face you then."

As himself, he continues "So the fighting stopped; and Neve began to cry as if her heart would break when she saw the state the giant was in."

Giggles go up as Misty feigns crying. "Oh! You'll be with me no more; you'll be killed now: what can I do without you?" she sighs as she pantomimes washing imagined wounds on Brock's arms.

"Don't be afraid," Brock assures her as the giant; "this one, whoever he is, will not kill me, for there is no one in the world that can kill me."

As himself, he interjects "Then the giant went to bed, and was good as new in the morning."

He resumes playing the Zelda theme and Ash pantomime fights some more. "The next day, the giant and Brendan resumed their battle in the middle of the morning, and fought till the middle of the afternoon. The giant was covered with wounds, and he had not given one blow to the boy, and could not see him, for he was always in his Cloak of Shrouds. So the giant had to ask for rest till the next morning."

Giggles go up as the Zelda theme slows down. "While Neve was washing and dressing the wounds of the giant she cried and cried, saying..." Brock narrates.

"What'll become of me now? I'm afraid you'll be killed this time; and how can I live here without you?" Misty cries as Neve as she washes more imaginary wounds.

"Have no fear for me," Brock assures her as the giant; "I'll put your mind at ease. In the bottom of the sea is a chest locked and bound, in that chest is a Ducklett, in the Ducklett an egg; and I never can be killed unless someone gets the egg from the Ducklett in the chest at the bottom of the sea, and smashes it on the ground."

As himself, he interjects "While the giant was telling this to Neve, who should be listening to the story but Brendan, hidden in the Cloak of Shrouds." The lights expand to reveal Ash, wrapped in the cloak and "listening". "The minute he heard of the chest in the sea, he remembered his friend the Gyarados."

Ash hurries over to center stage as Brock continues "So off he hurried to the seashore, which was not far away. Then he took out the sapphire that the Gyarados had given him..." Ash holds the prop sapphire in the air. "and sang..."

Rou iitsa ron selga vichii... Ash sings, making the sapphire glow blue.

"A huge wave appeared, brought up the chest with the Ducklett inside, and set it out on the beach before him." Brock narrates as a prop chest appears before Ash in a flash of blue light, to awed gasps from the crowd. "But the chest was locked up tight; so how could he open it without a key?"

Laughter goes up as Ash tugs at the prop chest, then tries and fails to pick the lock. "Just when he was about to give up, he remembered his friend the Gogoat and taking out the emerald..." Ash sets the sapphire aside and holds the emerald in the air. "he sang..."

Seios, higarima laisido... Ash sings, making the emerald glow green.

The sound of a stampede of Gogoats plays. "At that moment, millions of Gogoats and Skiddos came running to the seashore, and soon they battered the chest till it was almost a pile of splinters." Brock narrates as the chest pops open with a flash of green light, allowing a prop Ducklett to "fly" out of the chest and towards stage left. "Out flew the Ducklett, and away she went over the sea."

Ash sighs for a moment, but then something dawns on him. "Then Brendan remembered his friend the Braviary, took out the ruby...." Brock waits as Ash sets the emerald aside and holds the ruby in the air. "and he sang..."

Karuto, iichiida shou... Ash sings, making the ruby glow red, in addition to gaining a red aura himself.

"Brendan gained the power to fly for a short time..." At this, Ash runs offstage with his arms outstretched to mimic flying. "and he had no problem retrieving the egg."

Ash returns with an actual egg some seconds later. "He put the three magic jewels in his pocket, put on the Cloak of Shrouds, went to the castle on the white hill, and told Neve to stand back. Brock narrates as Ash pantomimes telling Misty this.

Brock begins playing the Zelda theme again. "The next day they fought till the middle of the afternoon. The giant was almost cut to pieces, and pleaded for mercy. Neve hurried to dress the wounds..." Misty starts in Brock's direction. "But Brendan, who was there in his Cloak of Shrouds, smashed the egg on the ground...." Ash throws down the egg on a washable board with a SPLAT! ""...and the giant died that minute." Brock plays the "got item" stinger for effect, to some applause.

Ash takes Misty by the hand as Brock continues over a peaceful song "Brendan took Neve to the castle of his sister Mairin. The next day, he went back for the treasures of the giant, and there was more gold and jewels in the castle than one Ponyta could carry."

"Wow"s and awed whistles go up at this. "They spent nine days in all with Mairin. Although Brendan wanted to give back the ruby, the Braviary insisted he keep it as reminder of their friendship." Brock narrates. "The two went on till they came to Darina's castle, where they spent nine more days with her; and Brendan was told to keep the sapphire as a reminder of his friendship with the Gyarados."

He adds "They spent fifteen days with Fiona, all of them filled with great feasting and enjoyment. "Brendan tried to give back the emerald to the Gogoat but was told to keep it, as a reminder of their friendship. After saying goodbye to Fiona, Brendan set out for home with Neve, who had asked to be his bride, bringing presents from his sisters to their father and mother."

"Aw"s go up as Ash and Misty arrive by Brock's side. "Finally, they reached the opening near the tree, came up through the ground, and went on to where he had met Arceus." Brock continues. "Brendan spread the Cloth of Plenty, and wished for every good meat and drink, and also wished for Arceus to join them in their meal."

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... Ash sings once the prop cloth is spread out.

Cheers go up as Callum enters the scene. "The three sat down, ate and drank with enjoyment." Brock narrates as Ash, Misty, and Callum pantomime eating. "When they had finished, Brendan tried to give back the Cloak of Shrouds, the Celestial Blade, and the Cloth of Plenty, but Arceus said...".

"You were kind to me," Callum explains as Arceus. "You gave me some of your bread when I asked for it, and told me where you were going. I knew you were brave,kind, and unselfish; for I knew you never could get what you wanted unless I helped you. Take the Celestial Blade, the Cloth of Plenty, and the Cloak of Shrouds--they are gifts from me, and when you have children of your own, pass them and the magic jewels down to them when they come of age."

"With that, they parted." Brock concludes as he sets the guitar aside. "Brendan went home, built a castle with the giant's treasure, and lived happily with his parents and his wife, Neve, for many years."

The crowd roars as the group bows....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 190: The Legend of Raita)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 190: The Legend of Raita

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 102, story 1)


"One stormy day in a far away land, a ferryman named Asaki was hurrying to finish his work before the storm hit." Brock begins as he arrives onstage. "Suddenly, a huge flash of lightning struck the boat, but the boat was miraculously unharmed--a small wisp appeared at the point the lightning had hit."

Intrigued murmurs fill the room as Brock continues "Asaki was understandably panicked, and decided to bring the wisp home. His wife wasn't too thrilled at first, but eventually warmed up to it, and even considered raising the lightning wisp as their own, since they had no children of their own. The lightning wisp explained that he served as a scout for Zapdos, and Zapdos was probably worried about him. If Asaki could get him back to the heavens, he would tell Zapdos to ask Arceus to bless the couple with a child as thanks for their kindness. Inspired, Asaki made the lightning wisp a small boat from a rowan tree. As the boat soared off to the heavens, they waved good bye and wished the lightning wisp a safe journey."

Once back in his usual place at center stage, Brock goes on "A few months later, on another stormy night, Asaki became a father to a healthy little boy. They named him Raita, which means "lightning boy", in honor of the lightning that flashed through the sky, and the lightning wisp that they had helped."

"Aw"s fill the air at this. "Raita grew up strong, but very mischievous, and was always playing one prank or another on the other kids. It eventually got so bad, Asaki decided to entrust Raita to the miko, in hopes she could teach him to be a kind and brave boy." Brock explains. "Not long after Raita arrived at the temple, a strange thing happened--children began mysteriously disappearing without a trace around the temple."

Whispers of excited debate fill the room as the audience debates what is taking the children. "Rumors started flying that a demon lurked in the temple." Brock continues, quieting the chatter. "Raita felt sorry seeing all the moms and dads of the missing children frantically pleading for any sign of their children's whereabouts, so one day, he went to the miko and boldly declared he would go fight the demon and save the children. The miko was reluctant at first--while Raita had become very brave and kind since he arrived, and attempting to save the children was a noble goal indeed, she warned him that a demon was much stronger than him, and she didn't want to lose him. Raita assured his mistress he had an idea, but he needed the miko's help to pull it off. That night, he would ring the temple bell as a distraction. With any demon distracted, the miko would cast a spell of light to blind the demon, which would buy Raita time to tie the demon up."

The lights go down a little to simulate nighttime. "That night, around midnight, Raita sensed something evil approaching the temple, and rang the bell." Brock continues, the sound of a temple bell playing in the midst of nighttime noises to prove his point. "The bell startled the demon a little, but it soon had Raita cornered. But just when it seemed all hope was lost, Raita heard his mistress sing a holy spell..."

With that, he sings in a mimic of Morgan Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

Cheers go up at the familiar spellsong. "This blinded the demon, and he was caught in the rope--but Raita and the miko didn't count on the demon breaking free!" Brock intones, making gasps fill the air at the turn of events. "Just before the demon could eat Raita, the cry of Zapdos was heard in the sky, and a huge thunderbolt paralyzed and trapped the demon. Raita saw the lightning wisp riding on Zapdos and asked who he was. The lightning wisp told Raita how his dad had helped him years before. Zapdos added that while strength and courage were all well and good, if he had wisdom and cleverness, he could be even stronger."

He concludes "Raita was hailed as a hero, but he studied even harder after that, and became known as a wise mage well versed in magic, and went on many more adventures. But that is another story for another day!"

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 191: Meloetta's Harp)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 191: Meloetta's Harp

(real tale: The Fairy Harp)

"It is no secret the Legendaries come down to the earth to test people's hearts." Brock begins as he arrives onstage, making many in the crowd nod in agreement. "Those who give them a ungracious welcome are subject to bad luck for the rest of their lives--and that's if the Legendary in question is feeling merciful. But those who are good to the Legendaries receive substantial favors, gifts, and fortune from them."

More murmurs go up in agreement. "Our story concerns a man named Morgan." Brock continues. "He was sitting at home one night by himself, with a bottle of ale as company. The generous liquor made Morgan very light-hearted, and he would often sing–or at least I think he was singing."

Giggles fill the air as the crowd pictures how terrible Morgan sounded. "His voice, however, was anything but sweet, and a minstrel he had offended–it was a very dangerous thing to mess with a minstrel in that land, as their songs often contained magic power–had likened his singing to the mooing of an old Miltank, or the yelping of a blind Growlithe." Brock explains, making the laughter intensify. "Morgan, meanwhile, believed his singing made him very happy, and on this particular evening he was especially pleased with the harmony--if you could call it that--he was producing. The only thing he was missing, he thought, was an audience--though it was probably a good thing he had no audience."

Once back at center stage, he continues. "Just as he was coming to the climax of his song, he heard a knock at the door." He knocks on the stage floor for effect. "Delighted with the thought that someone came to listen to him, Morgan sang with all the gusto he was capable of, and his top note was, in his opinion, a thing of beauty and a joy forever--but it actually broke every window within several miles."

The crowd roars with laughter at the snarky remark. "When he was finally finished, he heard the knock at the door..." Brock knocks on the stage floor again. "and shouted..."

“What is the door for but to come in by? Come in, whoever you are.” he snaps in an older nasaly voice for Morgan.

He deadpans as himself "Morgan’s manners, as you can see, were not very polished."

The crowd giggles in agreement. "The door opened, and a traveler wrapped in a long cloak came inside." Brock goes on. "Little did Morgan know that his visitor was Meloetta in disguise, and she had come to see how Morgan treated strangers."

“Good sir,” he asks in a mimic of Melody, “I am worn and tired, but all I ask is a meal for the night, and then I will go on my way.”

"Really?" he asks as Morgan. “Is that all you want? Well there is the bread and the cheese, and the knife lies by them, you can cut what you like. Eat your heartiest, for never shall it be said that I denied bread and cheese to strangers that came into my house.”

As himself, he continues "Meloetta proceeded to help herself, and Morgan, determined to be a good host, sang to them while she ate, only pausing to drink a little ale when he got thirsty. When Meloetta had spent about an hour there, graciously tolerating the nails-on-a-chalkboard performance, she got up to go and said..."

“Good sir, thank you for your entertainment." he smiles as Melody. "Since you have been so generous, I will do something for you in return. I will grant you any one wish you may have.”

“Well, indeed,” he muses as Morgan, “I wish I had a harp that will always sound sweet, no matter how badly I play it. It should always play happy songs–no sad songs here!"

As himself, he continues as he starts toward stage right. "He had hardly finished speaking when, to his astonishment, there on the hearth before him stood a beautiful silver harp."

The crowd roars as Brock reveals his own harp to the audience. "He looked around and found his guest had vanished."

“That’s the most extraordinary thing I have ever seen in my life,” he muses as Morgan as he puts on the five fingerpicks for the harp. “She must have been a Legendary.”

Once he is ready, he cradles his harp in his hands and continues. "After a few moments, he proceeded to try the instrument he had been so mysteriously presented with. As soon as his fingers touched the strings, the harp began to play a lively tune. Just then there was a sound of footsteps, and in came his wife with some friends. No sooner did they hear the strains of the harp did they start to dance, and as long as Morgan’s fingers were on the strings, they kept on dancing."

With that, he plays a light hearted jig for effect. "News that Morgan had found a harp with some mysterious power spread like wildfire across the land, and many visitors came to see him and the harp. Every time he played it everyone felt compelled to dance, and did not stop until Morgan stopped." Brock continues after the applause dies down.

He then intones "One day, the minstrel who had made all those unpleasant remarks about Morgan’s singing came to see the amazing harp. Morgan decided to pay him back, and instead of stopping after the dance had been going on for a few minutes, he kept on playing."

He starts another song, but the relaxed melody eventually quickens into a rousing dance. "He played on and on until the dancers were exhausted and begged him to stop." he continues as he plays the frenzied melody. "But Morgan was finding the scene much too amusing to want to stop. He laughed until his sides ached and the tears rolled down his cheeks at the antics of his visitors, and especially at those of the minstrel. The longer he played the crazier became the dance: the dancers spun around and around, wildly knocking over the furniture, and some of them bounded up against the roof of the cottage till their heads cracked open. Morgan did not stop until the minstrel had almost broken his legs and the rest had been jolted almost to pieces. By that time his revenge was satisfied, and his sides were so tired with laughing that he had to take his fingers off the strings." With that, he ends the song with one last A minor flourish.

"But this was the only time he was to have the chance of venting on his enemies." he explains as he sets the harp aside. "The next morning the harp had disappeared, and he never saw it again. Meloetta, displeased with the evil means her gift had been used for, had taken it away during the night, to give to another, more worthy performer."

He concludes. "Moral of the story? Do not abuse the gifts of the Legendaries."

The crowd laughs and applauds in agreement as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 192: Sorin, Entei, and the Honeypots)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 192: Sorin, Entei, and the Honeypots

(real tale: The Lion, the Hare, and the Honey)


"One day Sorin said to Entei..." Brock then switches to his standard "Sorin" voice. "Oh, Mighty One, all Pokemon fear you. Let us hunt together. With you as my companion, the Growlithes will not dare bother me..."

As himself, he explains "Entei was flattered, even though the crafty Pikachu that was known to be quite the trickster was just buttering him up."

Cheers go up at the familiar beginning--it has been a while since Brock has told a Sorin tale. "It's true everyone fears me, but boys have spears and bows, and fathers will punish me if I harm their sons." he admitted in a deep, gentle voice for Entei.

He interjects as himself. "Sorin had thought of that. In fact, Sorin thought of everything."

"Don't worry. If we find ourselves in trouble, we'll play dead. No one will bother us then," he explains as Sorin.

As himself, he continues "Puffed up with pride, Entei agreed. The pair set off on a hunting expedition, but before they had gone far, they heard barking Growlithes."

The sound of a crowd of barking Growlithes startles some in the crowd. "Dust rose in the road behind them. Sorin turned and saw the Growlithes, about ready to pounce on them." Brock intones over the barking.

"Quick, lie down and play dead!" he yelps as Sorin.

At this, the barking stops. "They threw themselves onto the ground." Brock continues as himself. "When the Growlithes reached them, they stopped and sniffed excitedly, but Sorin and Entei stayed perfectly still. A few moments later, the boys that owned the Growlithes caught up with them.

"Leave them alone," he scolds as a young boy as he shoos an imaginary Growlithe away. "Someone must have poisoned the Pokemon."

"As himself, he narrates "Just then, a cart pulled by two Tauros came down the road. The driver called..."

"What have you there?" he calls in a slightly older version of himself.

"Only food for Vullabies," he explains as a boy. "Our Growlithes found these poisoned Pokemon lying in the road."

"I could make use of those fine skins," he smiles as the driver. "Help me load the bodies onto my cart."

As himself, he continues "The man and the boys heaved Entei and Sorin onto the cart, and the driver continued on his way. As they bounced along the road, Sorin carefully opened one eye. He saw sacks and three honeypots inside the cart, and he wondered what treat was inside. He nudged Entei."

"Look!" he gasps as Sorin, pointing at some imagined honeypots. "There may be treasure inside."

He narrates as himself "The driver's attention was fixed on his Tauros and the road, so Entei and Sorin rolled the honeypots from the cart and leaped off after them. They lay in the long grass until the cart had disappeared down the road. They lost no time rolling the honeypots out of the road, and Entei nudged the top from one."

"Treasure! Sorin, we are rich beyond our wildest dreams!" he giddily cries as Entei. "There's honey inside!"

He interjects as himself. "Sorin stuck his paw into the honey, pulled it out and licked it delightedly." Giggles go up as Brock pantomimes doing this.

"Wait!" he interjects as Entei. "I love honey, too, but let us save this for when food is scarce. We'll hide it for the winter."

"But I'm hungry!" he complains as Sorin "Let's eat it now."

"That isn't wise. Listen to me. Remember, I am mighty and all Pokemon fear me!" Brock warns as Entei, to nervous giggles

As himself, he narrates "At last they agreed and rolled the honeypots to a cave. They covered their hiding place with a rock and set off for home, pleased with themselves. The next morning Sorin woke up early. As he was scurrying down the road, Entei called, suspiciously..."

"Where are you going, friend?" he calls as Entei

"I'm off to see my aunt about an urgent matter," he replies as Sorin..

"Instead he hopped to the cave, opened the first honeypot, and ate up all the honey." he narrates as himself, to some "Ooh"s from the audience. "He filled the empty container with dirt and sand and hopped back home."

"Hello, Sorin," he calls as Entei. "Why did your aunt send for you?"

"Oh, she's a great one for christenings, and she wanted me to name her new child." he replies as Sorin.

"What did you name the child, then?" he asks as Entei.

"First Gone," he replies as Sorin.

"The next day Sorin announced his aunt had called for him again, and again he hurried to the cave and finished the honey in the second honeypot." he narrates as himself "On the way home, Entei asked him what his aunt had wanted and he said..."

"Another christening." he assures the crowd as Sorin.

"And this one?" he asks as Entei. "What did you call it?"

"Second Gone," he grins as Sorin, to more giggles of anticipation.

"He narrates some more as himself. "On the third day, Sorin made a great show of being annoyed by his aunt, but this time, of course, he finished off the third honeypot full of honey. When Entei asked what his aunt had wanted, Sorin said..."

"Another christening." he explains as Sorin.

"And the name?" he asks as Entei.

"All Gone," he snickers as Sorin, trying oh-so-hard not to laugh and break character himself.

After composing himself, Brock goes on "Months passed, and winter came. Food was scarce. One day Entei suggested to Sorin that they go to find their secret hoard of honey. This they did, and when they opened the first honeypot, they found only sand and dirt. This is what they found in the second one, too, and the third."

"What wicked thief has stolen our honey?" he roars as Entei, startling some in the audience.

"Dreadful," he sighs as Sorin. "But who besides us knew of this hiding place? Perhaps one of us ate it in our sleep."

"I would never steal our honey," he pleads as Entei, making the three fingered scout sign for emphasis.

"Let's test ourselves," he suggests as Sorin. "We'll find out if either of us is guilty."

Some light applause goes up at the interplay. "Now, Entei was a heavy sleeper, and that night as he snored, Sorin rubbed a little honey he had set aside onto his friend's whiskers and paws." Brock intones as himself. At dawn Sorin woke Entei up, and he made a great show of wiping his mouth and smoothing his clean fur. But Entei was staring, shocked, at his sticky paws. He felt tears welling in his eyes as he tasted the honey on his whiskers."

"I am so terribly sorry," he sighs as Entei. "I don't know how such a thing could happen, but I will make it up to you, my friend. I'll hunt for both of us all winter long."

He concludes as himself "Sorin graciously accepted this offer, and he hurried off before Entei had time to realize that all three honeypots were empty."

Laughter and applause fill the air as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 193: How Lugia Got His Spikes)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 193: How Lugia Got His Spikes

(real tale: Rabbit and the Moon-Man)


"Once, long ago, Sorin lived with his mother deep in the forest, far from all other people." Brock begins. "He was a great hunter, and all around, far and near, he set all kinds of traps to catch game for food. It was winter, and he caught many small Pokemon and bird Pokemon. He brought them home daily to feed himself and his mother, and he was well pleased with his success. But after some weeks had passed, he was unable to catch anything."

Intrigued murmurs go up as Brock goes on "He always found his traps empty, although many tracks were always around them, and there were many signs that Pokemon were prowling about. He knew then that he was being robbed nightly, and that someone was pilfering his traps. It was very cold and the snow lay deep in the forest, and Sorin and his mother were in dire need of food. Every morning Sorin got up very early and hurried off to his traps, but always he found them empty, for the thief had been one step ahead of him. He was greatly puzzled, for he could not think who the thief was."

Furious debate fills the room before Brock goes on "At last one morning, after a new snowfall, he found the mark of a long wing near his traps, and he knew the thief had wings. It was the longest wing-print he had ever seen, long and wide and almost resembling a human hand. Sorin thought, 'I'll get up even earlier in the morning, and I'll go to my traps ahead of the thief and take my game, so that they will all be empty when he comes.' Each morning he got up earlier and earlier to catch the thief, but the long winged creature was always there before him, and his game was always gone. No matter how early Sorin got up, the thief was always ahead of him and his traps were always empty.

The debate intensifies at this. "So Sorin said to his mother..." Brock then complains in character as Sorin "Long Wings, who robs my traps, is always up ahead of me, no matter how early I get up. I will make a trap from a bow string, and I will watch all night, and I will surely catch him."

As himself, he continues "He made a trap from a bow string and set it beside his traps, and took the end of the bow string some distance away to a clump of trees, which he hid behind. He hoped that the thief would step into the trap; then he would pull the bow string and tie him to a tree. He sat very quietly, waiting for Long Wings to appear. The moonlight was bright when he set out, but soon it grew very dark in the forest. The moon suddenly disappeared. But the stars were all shining on the white snow and there were no clouds in the sky, and Sorin wondered what had happened to Lugia, guardian of the night. He waited very still and a little frightened in the starlight--Long Wings couldn't possibly be Lugia, could he?"

A loud "Oh" fills the room as the collective lightbulb goes off in the audience's head. "Soon he heard someone coming, sneaking stealthily through the trees. Then he saw a white light which dazzled his eyes. The light went towards the traps, until it stopped at the trap Sorin had set. Then Sorin pulled the bow string, which closed the trap as he had hoped, and tied the string to a tree. He heard sounds of a struggle, and he saw the white light move from side to side, but he knew that he had his prisoner. He was afraid of the white light, and he ran home as fast as he could and told his mother that he had caught the thief in the trap, and he did not know who he was, for he was too frightened to look. His mother said..."

In character as Lola he assures an imagined Pikachu "You must go back and see who it is, and tell him he must stop robbing your traps."

"I do not want to go until daylight, for Lugia has left the sky, and the forest is very dark." he fearfully whines as Sorin.

"You must go." he warns as Sorin's mom.

As himself, he intones "So poor Sorin, although he was very frightened by what he had seen, set out again for his traps. When he got closer to his traps, he saw that the white light was still shining. It was so bright that his eyes were dazzled and he had to stop far from it. Then he got closer, but his eyes soon became very sore. There was a stream flowing beside him, and he bathed his eyes in the cold water, but it brought him no relief, and his eyes felt hot and red, and tears fell from them because of the dazzling light. Then he took great handfuls of snow and threw snowballs at the light, hoping thereby to put it out. But when the snowballs approached to the light they melted and fell down like rain. Then, with his eyes still hurting, Sorin in his rage scooped up great handfuls of soft black mud from the bottom of the stream, and forming it into balls, he threw them with all his force at the white light. He heard them strike something with a dull thud, and he heard loud yells from the prisoner—Long Wings—behind the shining light. Then a voice came from the light, saying..."

In a deeper version of himself, he rants "Why did you trap me? Come and untie me right now. I am Lugia. It is almost morning, and I must be on my way home. You have already spotted my face with mud, and if you do not release me--!"

He goes on as himself "Poor Sorin was more frightened than before, and he ran home and told his mother what had happened. His mother was also very frightened, for she thought that no good could come of it. She told Sorin to go back right away and untie Lugia, for the night was almost over, and the dawn would soon be breaking. So poor Sorin, trembling in his fear, went back to his traps. From a great distance he cried..."

As Sorin, he calls to an imagined person "I will untie you if you will never again rob my traps, and if you will never come back to earth."

"I swear it by my white light." Brock replies as Lugia, making the three fingered scout sign to prove his point.

He continues as himself "Then Sorin approached very carefully. He had to shut his eyes and grope his way because of the bright light, and his lip quivered because of the great heat. At last he rushed in and cut the bow string with his teeth, and Lugia hurried on his way, for he could already see Ho'oh about to take flight in the east. But Sorin was almost blinded while he was doing this, and his shoulders were badly scorched."

He concludes "Ever since that time, Pikachus blink and their eyes are often brown, because of the great light and heat on the winter night long ago when he released Lugia from the trap. And since that night Lugia has never come back to that place. He stays up in the sky, lighting the forest by night; but he still bears on his face and body the marks of the black mud which Sorin threw at him, which hardened and turned blue. Sometimes for several nights he goes away to a quiet place, where he tries to wash off the mud; and then the land is dark. But he never succeeds in cleaning himself, and when he comes back to his work the marks of Sorin's mud-balls are still on his shining face and body."

Laughter and applause fill the room as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 194: The Secret of Mt. Simeli)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 194: The Secret of Mt. Simeli

(real tale: Simeli Mountain)

"There were once two brothers, the one rich, the other poor." Brock begins. "The rich one, however, cared only about himself, and gave nothing to the poor one. The poor brother--we'll call him Lucas--managed to make a modest living selling Cornn Berries, but Cornn Berries sold for so very cheap, he often had no food for his wife and children."

Angry murmurs go up through the crowd. "One day, as he was traveling through the forest on his way to town, he saw a great mountain, and as he had never seen it before, he stood still and stared at it in amazement." Brock continues, quieting the chatter. "While he was standing there, he saw twelve men, huge and muscular, coming towards him. Fearing they were robbers, he ran into a thicket, climbed up a tree, and waited to see what would happen. The twelve men, however, approached the mountain, and their leader sang..."

He then sings Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..

Cheers go up at the spellsong. "...and the barren mountain opened right down the middle like a zipper, and the twelve men went inside. As soon as they were safely inside, it neatly zipped right back up. After a short time, however, it opened again, and the men came out carrying heavy sacks on their shoulders, and when they were all outside again, the leader sang again Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... and the mountain zipped back up, and the twelve men went away."

Amazed whispers race through the auditorium at this. "Once sure the men were gone, Lucas climbed down from the tree, curious to know what was secretly hidden in the mountain." Brock goes on. "So he went up to it and sang..."

In a mimic of Ash, he sings Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

"and the mountain opened to him." he continues as himself. "Lucas went inside, and the whole mountain was a cavern full of silver and gold, and behind lay great piles of pearls and sparkling jewels, heaped up like Cornn Berries. Lucas hardly knew what to do, and whether or not it was worth taking any of these treasures for himself; but he eventually decided there was no harm in taking a little. So he filled his pockets with gold, but he left the pearls and jewels where they were. When he came outside again he sang, <i>Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...</i>" and the mountain closed itself, and he went home with his grand haul."

More excited whispers fill the air. "Now Lucas had no more cause for anxiety, but could buy food for his wife and children with his gold, and wine, as well. He lived humbly and justly, helped the poor, and did good deeds for everyone he met that needed something, no matter how big or small the matter was." Brock goes on. "When, however, the money ran out, he went to his brother, borrowed a large bag, and brought himself some more, but did not touch any of the most valuable things. When he went to get some more a third time, he again borrowed his brother's bag. The rich man had, however, long been jealous of his brother's newfound riches, and longed to know where the riches came from, and what his brother wanted with the bag. Then he thought of a cunning trick, and covered the bottom of the bag with tar. When he got the bag back, a gold piece was stuck in it."

"Ooh"s fill the air at this. "He immediately went to his brother and asked him..." Brock switches to a mimic of Gary for the elder brother. "What have you been carrying in this bag?"

"Corn and barley," he stammers as Lucas.

As himself, he continues "Then he showed him the piece of gold, and threatened that if he did not tell the truth he would take him to court. Lucas then told him everything, just as it had happened. The rich man, however, ordered his carriage to be made ready, and drove away, resolved to use the opportunity better than his brother had done, and to bring back with him quite different treasures.

Nervous giggles go up at this. "When he came to the mountain he sang... Brock then sings as Gary Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "The mountain opened, and he went inside. There lay the treasures all before him, and for a long time he did not know what to grab first. Eventually he loaded himself with as many jewels as he could carry. He wished to carry his burden outside, but, in his zeal for the treasures, he had forgotten the spell that opened the mountain, and desperately sang...

Laughter goes up as Brock sings to the same tune as Gary Vao wiisher neis chier com yutuu...

He continues as himself "That, however, was not the right spell, and the mountain never stirred, but remained closed. He was alarmed, but the longer he thought about it the more confused he was, and his treasures were no more of any use to him.

He grins. "Needless to say, he met his demise at the hands of the thieves. As for Lucas, he lived happily and content with his treasure, and never worried about food or money again."

The crowd roars as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 195: Fire, Ice, and Lightning)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Week 195: The Legend of Fire, Ice, and Lightning

(real tale: The Three Men of Power; Evening, Midnight, and Sunrise)


"Long ago there lived a king, and he had three daughters, the loveliest in all the world--we'll call them Flannery, Skye, and Melina." Brock begins as he arrives on the stage. "He loved them so much, that he built a palace for them underground, lest the rough winds blow on them or the sun scorch their delicate faces. It was a wonderful palace, with fountains and courts, and lamps burning, and precious stones glittering in the light of the lamps. The three lovely princesses grew up in that palace underground, and knew no other light but that of the colored lanterns, and had never seen the wide world that lies up above. They had no idea that there was a world outside those glittering walls, above that shining ceiling, carved and gilded and set with precious stones."

"Ooh"s and murmurs of awe fill the air as the audience pictures the underground palace. "But it so happened that among the books that were given to them to read was one about the world of light--how the sun shone in the sky; how trees grew green; how the grass waved in the wind and the leaves whispered together; how the rivers flowed between their green banks and through the flowery meadows, until they come to the blue sea that joined the earth and the sky." Brock continues, making the whispers of excitement intensify. "They read in that book of white-walled towns, of shrines with gilded and painted domes, of the brown wooden huts of the peasants, of the great forests, of the ships on the rivers, and of the long roads with the folk moving on them, this way and that, about the world."

He lifts a hand to quiet the chatter. "When the king came to see them, as he always did in the evening, they asked him..."

"Father, is it true that there is a garden in the world?" he asks in a mimic of May.

"Yes," he replies as the king.

"And green grass?" he giddily asks in a mimic of the real Flannery.

"Yes," he replies as the king.

"And little shining flowers?" he asks in a mimic of Misty.

"Why, yes," he smiles as the king.

"Oh, your Majesty, whom we love, let us out to see this world." he pleads as May. "Let us out just so that we may see this garden, and walk in it on the green grass, and see the shining flowers."

Some applause goes up for the interplay. "The king turned his head away and tried not to listen to them." Brock explains as himself. "But what could he do? They were the loveliest princesses in the world, and when they begged him just to let them walk in the garden he could see the tears in their eyes. After all, he thought, there were high walls to the garden."

He grins as he looks out on the enthralled audience. "So he called up his army, and posted soldiers all around the garden, and a hundred soldiers watching over each gate, so that no one could come in. Then he let the princesses come up from their underground palace, and step out into the sunshine in the garden, with ten nurses and maids watching over each one. The princesses stepped out into the garden, under the blue sky, shading their eyes at first because they had never before been in the sunlight."

Giggles go up as Brock shields his eyes for effect, as if the sun is there. "Soon they were holding hands, and running this way and that along the garden paths and over the green grass, and gathering bouquets of shining flowers to set in their belts and to decorate their crowns. The king sat and watched them with love in his eyes, and was glad to see how happy they were. After all, he thought, what with the high walls and the soldiers standing at attention, nothing could hurt them."

He then intones "But he didn't count on a strong whirlwind to come down out of the blue sky, tearing up trees and throwing them aside, and lifting the roofs from the houses as if they were toys. But it did not touch the palace roofs, shining in the sunlight, and it plucked no trees from the garden. It raged this way and that, and then with its swift whirling arms it caught the three lovely princesses, and carried them up into the air, over the high walls and over the heads of the guarding soldiers. For a moment the king saw them, his daughters, the three lovely princesses, spinning round and round, as if they were dancing in the sky. A moment later they were no more than little whirling specks, like dust in the sunlight before they were out of sight, and the king and all the maids and nurses were alone in the empty garden. The noise of the wind had gone. The soldiers did not dare to speak. The only sound in the King's ears was the sobbing and crying of the maids and nurses."

Fierce debate begins in the front rows. "The king called his generals, and made them send the soldiers in all directions over the country to bring back the princesses, in case the whirlwind set them back on the ground. The soldiers went to the very boundaries of the kingdom, but they came back discouraged--the princesses had vanished without a trace." Brock goes on. "Then the king called together all his faithful servants, and promised a great reward to anyone who knew anything about where the princesses had gone. But the servants had no better luck. Far and wide they roamed. Slowly, one by one, they rode back, with bent heads, on tired Ponytas. Not one of them had seen the princesses anywhere."

The debate turns to fearful speculation as Brock goes on "Then the king called a grand council of his most trusted advisors and councilors. They all sat and listened as the king told them everything and asked if one of them could try finding and rescuing the three princesses. "The wind has not set them down within the boundaries of my kingdom; and now, Arceus knows, they may be in the power of wicked men or worse." He said he would give one of the princesses in marriage to anyone who could follow where the wind went and bring his daughters back; making him the richest man in the kingdom to boot. But the advisors and councilors sat there in silence. They were scholars and thinkers, not warriors--so what were they to do to save the princesses?"

He brushes away a feigned tear. "I see," he sighs as the king, "I have no friends here in the palace. My soldiers cannot, my servants cannot, and my advisors and councilors cannot, bring back my three sweet maids, whom I love more than anything in this world."

As himself, he goes on "So he sent heralds throughout the kingdom to spread the word, and to ask if there were none among the common folk who would attempt rescuing the three lovely princesses."

Excited chatter fills the room--surely a quest is not far away! "Now, in a certain village of the world of light lived a poor widow, and she had three sons, strong men, true heroes, and men of power." Brock explains. "All three had been born in a single night: the eldest during an evening storm, the middle one at midnight, which is the coldest hour of the night, and the youngest just as the sky was lightening with the fire of dawn. For this reason they were called Lightning, Ice, and Fire. Lightning was dusky, with golden brown eyes and hair; Ice was dark, with piercing blue eyes and hair as black as charcoal; while Fire had red-brown hair like a flame, and eyes as green as the grass on the plains. All three were as strong as any of the brave men and women and mighty heroes who have walked this world."

"Wow"s and awed whispers race through the auditorium at the boys' description. "As soon as the king's word had been proclaimed in the village, the three brothers asked for their mother's blessing, which she gave them, kissing them on the forehead and on both cheeks." Brock continues. "Then they got ready for the journey, and rode off to the capital—Lightning and Ice on normal Ponytas, and Fire on his Ponyta, Epona. Epona's fur shone white as the moon, and her firey mane burned not red, but blue. They came to the capital, and as they rode through the streets, everybody stopped to look at them, and all the pretty young women waved handkerchiefs at the windows. But the three brothers looked neither to the right nor the left but straight ahead, and they rode to the royal palace."

He then bows on one knee before an imagined throne. "May you live forever, Your Majesty. We have come to you not for feasting but for service. Let us ride out to rescue your three daughters." he requests in a mimic of Ash for Fire.

"May Arceus grant you favor." he replies as the king. "What are your names?"

"We are three brothers—Fire, Ice, and Lightning." he explains as Fire.

"What would you like to take with you on the road?" he asks as the king.

"For ourselves, Your Majesty, we want nothing. We only wish not to leave our mother in poverty, for she is old." he replies as Fire.

As himself, he continues "The king sent for the old woman, their mother, and gave her a home in his palace. She ate and drank at the royal table, and received new boots and new clothes, just to name a few of the gifts she received. No old woman in the world was better looked after than the mother of the three young heroes named Fire, Ice, and Lightning while they were away on their quest."

More excited whispers fill the air as Brock continues "The young men rode out on their journey. One month became two months and two months became three, until they came to a broad desert plain, where there were no towns, no villages, no farms, and not a human being to be seen. They rode on over the sand, through the wilted grass, over the rocky wastes. Eventually, on the other side of that desolate plain, they came to a thick forest. They found a path through the thick undergrowth, and rode along that path together into the very heart of the forest. And there, alone in the heart of the forest, they came to a small house, with a yard and a shed full of Tauros and Mareep. They called out for someone, and were answered by the mooing of the Tauros, the bleating of the Mareep, and the strong wind in the tops of the trees. They rode through the yard and came to the house. Lightning climbed from his Ponyta and knocked on the window. There was no answer. They opened the door, and found no one at all."

"Well, brothers," he muses in a mimic of Kano for Lightning, "let us make ourselves at home. We have been riding three months. Let us rest, and then go on."

As himself, he continues "The others agreed. They tied up their Ponytas, fed them, drew water from the well, and gave them to drink; and then, tired out, they went into the house, gave thanks to Arceus for leading them to the house, and lay down to sleep with their weapons close to their hands, like true heroes. In the morning, Fire said to Lightning..."

As Fire, he explains "Ice and I are going hunting today. You can watch over the house, and see what sort of meal you can give us when we come back."

"Very well," he replies as Lightning. "but tomorrow I will go hunting, and one of you will stay here and cook the meal."

He smiles as himself "Nobody objected to that, and so Lightning stood at the door of the house while the others rode off—Ice on his Ponyta, and Fire aboard Epona. They rode off into the forest, and disappeared among the green trees. Lightning watched them depart, and then, without thinking about what he was doing, went out into the yard, picked out the finest Mareep he could see, caught it, prepared it, and set it in a cauldron on the stove so as to be ready and hot whenever his brothers returned from the forest. As soon as that was done, Lightning lay down on the bed to rest."

Nervous giggles go up at this. "He had hardly gotten comfortable before there were a knocking and a rattling and a stumbling, and the door opened, and in walked a dwarf, with a beard seven yards long flowing out behind him over both his shoulders." Brock continues. "He looked round angrily, and saw Lightning, who yawned, and sat up on the bed, and began chuckling at the sight of him."

"What are you laughing at?" he rants as the dwarf, to some laughter. "How dare you play the master in my house? How dare you kill my best Mareep?"

"Grow a little bigger, and it won't be so hard to see you down there." he grins as Lightning. "Until then it will be better for you to keep a civil tongue in your head."

"What?" he screams as the dwarf. to more laughter. "I am little, am I? Well, see what little does!"

As himself, he describes the ensuing brawl. "With that he grabbed an old crust of bread, jumped on Lightning's shoulders, and began whacking him over the head. He was so strong he beat Lightning till he was at least three different colors. Then, when he was tired, he threw Lightning under the bed, took the Mareep out of the cauldron, gobbled it up in a few mouthfuls, and, when he had finished, went off again into the forest."

The audience roars with laughter as Brock eases himself to his feet, as if he is Lightning in pain. "When Lightning came to his senses again, he covered the wounds on his head with a dishcloth, and lay on the ground and groaned. Ice and Fire rode back, and came to the hut, where they found their brother groaning on the ground, beaten black and blue, and with a dishcloth around his head."

"What are you tied up like that for?" he asks as Fire. "and where is our dinner?"

As himself, he interjects "Lightning was ashamed to tell them the truth—how he had been beaten senseless with a crust of bread by a little fellow. He moaned and said..."

As Lightning, he weakly explains "My brothers, I made a fire in the stove, and was overwhelmed by the great heat in this little hut. My head ached. All day I lay senseless, and could neither boil nor roast. I thought my head would burst with the heat, and my brains fly everywhere."

Giggles go up as Brock continues "The next day Fire went hunting with Lightning, whose head was still tied up in a dishcloth, and hurting so badly that he could hardly see. Ice stayed behind, as it was his turn to see to dinner. Fire rode out on beautiful Epona, and Lightning on his normal Ponyta. Ice watched them disappear among the green trees, and then set to work making dinner. He lit the fire, but was careful not to make it too hot. Then he went into the yard, and without thinking about what he was doing, caught the very fattest of the sheep, prepared it, and set it on the stove. Then, when all was ready, he lay down on the bed to rest."

"Uh oh"s waft through the room. "But before he had laid there for too long there were a knocking, a stamping, a rattling, a grumbling, and in came the dwarf, and without wasting words the little fellow leaped on the shoulders of the hero, and started beating him and thumping him, first on one side of his head and then on the other." Brock continues. "He gave him such a drubbing that he very nearly killed him right there. Then the dwarf ate the whole Mareep in a few mouthfuls, and went off angrily into the forest, with his long white beard flowing behind him."

After getting up from feigned injuries, Brock goes on "Ice tied up his head with a handkerchief, and lay down under the bed, groaning and groaning, unable to put his head on the ground, it was so bruised by the beating he got. In the evening the brothers rode back, and found Ice groaning under the bench, with his head bound up in a handkerchief. Lightning looked at him and said nothing. Perhaps he was thinking of his own bruised head, which was still tied up in a dishcloth."

"What's the matter with you?" he asks as Fire.

"There never was such a stove as this," he groans in a mimic of Rylan for Ice. "I'd no sooner lit it than it seemed as if the whole house were on fire. My head nearly burst. It's aching now; and as for your dinner, why, I've not been able to put a hand to anything all day."

He interjects as himself "Lightning chuckled to himself, but Fire only said..."

"That's awful, brother; but you shall go hunting tomorrow, and I'll stay at home, and see what I can do with the stove." he offers as Fire.

As himself, he goes on "So on the third day the two elder brothers went hunting. "Fire stood in the doorway of the hut, and saw them disappear under the green trees. The sun shone on his red-brown waves, and his green eyes were like the forest itself. He went into the house and lit the stove. Then he went out into the yard, chose the best Mareep he could find without any second thoughts, prepared it, and set it on the stove. He got everything ready, and then lay down on the bed."

After a few tense seconds, Brock continues. "Before he had laid there very long he heard a stumping, a thumping, a knocking, a rattling, a grumbling, a rumbling. Fire jumped up from the bed and looked out the window. There in the yard was the dwarf. He was carrying a whole haystack on his head and a great tub of water in his arms. He came into the middle of the yard, and set down his tub to water all the Pokemon. He set down the haystack and scattered the hay about. All the Tauros and the Mareep came together to eat and to drink, and the dwarf stood and counted them. He counted the Tauros, he counted the Gogoats, and then he counted the Mareep. He counted them once, and his eyes began to flash. He counted them twice, and he began to grind his teeth. He counted them a third time, just to be sure that one was missing, and then he flew into a violent rage, rushed across the yard and into the hut, and gave Fire a huge whack on the head."

Laughter goes up as Brock feigns the injury. "Fire shook his head as if a Venonat had landed on it. Then he jumped suddenly and caught the end of the dwarf's long beard, and set to pulling him this way and that, around and around the hut, as if his beard was a rope."

He interjects as an aside as he twirls an imagined rope "And oh, how the little man roared!"

The audience roars with laughter as they picture the comical scene. "Fire laughed, and tugged him this way and that, as he teased..."

"If you do not know the ford, it is better not to go into the water," he grins as Fire.

"Have mercy upon me, hero!" he pleads as the dwarf. "Do not kill me. Leave me my soul to repent with."

As himself, he goes on. "Fire laughed, and dragged the dwarf out into the yard, whirled him around by the end of his beard, and brought him to a great oak tree that lay on the ground. Then with a heavy iron wedge he fixed the end of the little man's beard firmly in the oaken trunk, and, leaving the dwarf ranting and raving, went back to the house, set it in order again, saw that the Mareep was cooking as it should, and then lay down in peace to wait for his brothers' return. Lightning and Ice rode home, leaped from their Ponytas, and came into the house to see how the dwarf had dealt with their brother. They could hardly believe their eyes when they saw him alive and well, without a scratch, lying comfortably on the bed."

He chuckles as Fire before boasting "Well, brothers, come along with me into the yard, and I think I can show you that headache of yours. It's a good deal stronger than it is big, but for the time being you need not be afraid of it, for it's fastened to an oak tree that all three of us together could not lift."

As himself, he continues "He got up and went into the yard. Lightning and Ice followed him with shamed faces. But when they came to the oak tree, the dwarf was not there. He had somehow worked himself free and run away into the forest. But half his beard was left, wedged in the trunk. Fire pointed to that and said..."

"Tell me, brothers, was it the heat of the stove that gave you your headaches? Or had this long beard something to do with it?" he grins as Fire.

Giggles yo up at the awkward silence. "Ice and Lightning turned a lovely shade of Charizard red, laughed with embarrassment, and told him everything." Brock explains as himself. "Meanwhile, Fire had been looking at the end of the beard, the end of the half beard that was left, and he saw that it had been torn out by the roots, and hairs from the beard showed the way he had gone. The brothers went back to the house and had their meal. Then they leaped on their Ponytas, and rode off into the green forest, following the hairs that had fallen from the little man's chin. For three days they rode through the green forest, until at last the gray hairs of the trail led them to a deep pit, a black hole in the earth, hidden by thick bushes and going far down into the underworld."

Intrigued murmurs go up at the turn of events. "Fire left his brothers to guard the hole, while he went off into the forest and gathered reeds, twisted it so that it made a strong rope, and brought it to the mouth of the pit, and asked his brothers to lower him down. He made a loop in the rope. His brothers kissed him on both cheeks, and he kissed them back. Then he sat in the loop, and Lightning and Ice lowered him down into the darkness. Down and down he went, swinging in the dark, till he came into an underground world, with a light that was neither that of the sun, nor of the moon, nor of the stars. He stepped from the loop, and set out walking through the underworld, going where his eyes led him, for he found no more hairs, nor any other traces of the dwarf."

"He walked and walked..." Brock proceeds to jog a few laps around the stage. "and came at last to a palace of crystal, green and ruddy in the strange light. He went into that palace, and there came to meet him in the crystal halls a maiden whose cheeks were redder than rubies and whiter than the snow. She was Princess Melina, the youngest daughter of the king, and the loveliest of the three princesses, who were the loveliest in all the world. Sweetly she curtsied to Fire, as he stood there with his red-brown hair and his eyes green as a spring valley, and she asked him..."

"How have you come here, my brave young man—on your own will or against it?" he asks as Princess Melina.

"Your father has sent us to rescue you and your sisters." he replies as Fire.

"She bade him sit at the table, gave him food and brought him a little flask that contained a potion of strength." Brock continues as himself.

"Strong you are," he muses as Princess Melina, "but not strong enough for what is before you. Drink this, and your strength will be greater than it is; for you will need all the strength you have and can win, if you are to rescue us and live to tell the tale."

Brock then retrieves a small ornate bottle with Kuran Berry juice standing in for the potion. "Fire looked in her sweet eyes, and drank the potion of strength in a single gulp, and felt immense power surging throughout his body."

No sooner does he drink the Kuran Berry juice down, does the sound effect of wind begin to play. "At that moment a mighty wind rushed through the crystal palace, and Princess Melina trembled." he intones over the wind.

"The monster that holds me here is coming," he shudders as Princess Melina. "He is flying here on his strong wings."

As himself, he continues "She took the great hand of the hero, led him to another room, and hid him there. The crystal palace rocked in the wind, and there flew into the great hall a huge Hydreigon with three heads."

Gasps go up as Brock assumes the role of the Hydreigon. "I smell the smell of a human soul. What visitor have you here?"

"How could any one come here?" he asks as Princess Melina. "You have been flying over the world. There you smelled human souls, and the smell is still in your nostrils, so that you think you smell them here."

"It is true," he muses as the Hydreigon: "I have been flying over the world. I have flown far. Let me eat and drink, for I am both hungry and thirsty."

He then reminds the audience "All this time Fire was watching from the other room."

He then goes on "Princess Melina brought the Hydreigon food and drink, but she spiked the drink with a potion of sleeping. The Hydreigon ate and drank, and began to feel sleepy. He curled up, laid his three heads in Princess Melina's lap, told her to scratch them for him, and fell into a deep sleep. Then Princess Melina called Fire, and the hero rushed in, swung his glittering sword three times around his golden head, producing three glittering beams that cut off all three heads of the Hydreigon. It was like felling three oak trees at a single blow. Then he made a great fire, and threw upon it the body of the Hydreigon, and, when it was burnt completely, scattered the ashes over the open country."

"Fare you well, love" he assures an imagined person as Fire "Fare you well. I go to seek your sisters. As soon as I have found them, I will return."

As himself, he continues "He walked on further through the underworld, and came at last to a palace of silver, gleaming in the strange light. He went inside, and was welcomed by Princess Skye. In that palace he killed a Hydreigon with six heads. Princess Skye begged him to stay; but he told her he had to find her eldest sister. At that she wished him Arceus' favor, and he left her, and went on further. He walked and walked, and came at last to a palace of gold, glittering in the light of the underworld. All happened as in the other palaces. Princess Flannery welcomed him with courtesy and kindness. And he killed a Hydreigon with twelve heads and freed Princess Flannery from her imprisonment. Princess Flannery rejoiced, thanked Fire, and set to work packing to go home."

He then reveals a prop ruby for the crowd. "First, she went out into the broad courtyard and holding a ruby in the air, sang..." he then sings as the real Flannery Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul..., making the ruby glow. "and the whole palace, golden and glittering, and the kingdom belonging to it, became smaller, and smaller, and smaller, till it fit inside a golden egg. Princess Flannery tied the egg to her belt, and set out with Fire to join her sisters and go home to her father."

Awed chatter goes up at the familiar spellsong. "Her sisters did their packing in the same way. Princess Skye packed the silver palace and its kingdom into a little silver egg with the spell..." He then sings as Misty Karuto, iichiida shou... before continuing as himself "When they came to the crystal palace, Princess Melina clapped her hands and kissed Fire on both cheeks, and holding an emerald high, sang..." He then sings as May Seios, higarima laisido..., "and the crystal palace and its kingdom were packed into a little crystal egg, shining ruddy and green."

Applause goes up at the successful rescue "Fire and the three princesses came to the foot of the deep hole he had come into the underworld from, with the rope still hanging there with the loop at its end." Brock continues. "They sat in the loop, and Lightning and Ice pulled them up one by one, rejoicing together. Then the three brothers took, each of them, a princess with him on his Ponyta, and they all rode together back to the old king, telling tales and singing songs as they went. Princess Flannery rode with Lightning; Princess Skye rode with Ice; but Princess Melina rode with Fire aboard faithful Epona. Festive was the journey through the green forest, and gladly they rode over the open plain, till they came at last to the palace of her father. There was the old king, sitting alone, when the three brothers with the princesses rode into the courtyard of the palace. The old king was so glad that he laughed and cried at the same time, and his tears ran down his cheeks."

"Ah me! I am old, and you young men have brought my daughters back from the very world under the world. Safer they will be if they have you to guard them, even than they were in the palace I had built for them underground. But I have only one kingdom and three daughters." he sighs as the king.

As himself, he goes on "The three princesses told their father not to worry, and they all rode out together into the open country, and there the princesses broke their eggs with their respective spells, one after the other, and there were the palaces of gold, silver, and crystal with the kingdoms belonging to them, and the Tauros and the Mareep and the Gogoats. There was a kingdom for each of the brothers. Then they held a great feast, and had three weddings all together, and the old king sat with the mother of the three strong men, and men of power, the noble heroes, Fire, Ice, and Lightning, sitting at his side. Great was the feasting, loud were the songs, and the king made Fire his heir, so that someday he would wear his crown. But little did Fire think of that. He thought of nothing but the Princess Melina. And little she thought of it, for she had no eyes but for Fire."

"Aw"s go up as Brock concludes "So they all lived happily ever after in the crystal palace."

Thunderous applause fills the room as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Week 196: The Three Pixies)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;



Week 196: The Three Pixies

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 105, story 3)

"Once a salve-maker was traveling through a land in the north in hopes of selling his medicines there." Brock begins. "Before long, he came to a town just as the sun set, and asked to stay in the town rich man's house. The rich man agreed, but no matter how hard he tried, the salve-maker couldn't sleep. Suddenly, around midnight, he saw three spirits of children appear. As they danced around the room and played on his bed, one of the child spirits warned him to leave the house."

Gasps and 'Oh no's fill the air, but Brock is quick to assure them "The salve-maker initially blew off the warning as a dream, but as the night wore on, he reconsidered, and left the house early the next morning. A few years passed, and the salve-maker found himself in the same town. When he returned to the house he had stayed in three years before, it was damaged and abandoned.The man explained that he had seen the three child-spirits too,and how they had said he would come to ruin, and his friend in the next village over had become that village's rich man, while he struggled to get by."

Fear turns to intrigue at how the rich man could have been ruined so quickly. "The salve-maker traveled to the next town over, where he found the magnificent mansion." Brock continues. "He was welcomed, given a hot dinner, and a place to stay for the night. That night, around midnight, he felt the covers being pulled off of him, and saw the three child spirits dancing around the bed, welcoming him, and asking him to play with them."

He then shows the crowd some small balls about the size of bath beads. "Inspired, the salve-maker took some beads of scented oils, and juggled them like balls."

"Wow"s and excited chatter fills the room as Brock proceeds to juggle the balls. After catching them all in one hand, to some applause, he continues "This delighted the child spirits, and so the salve-maker played with them for several hours--when he got tired of juggling, he told the spirits stories and sang songs he had heard on the road."

"Aw"s fill the air as the crowd pictures the heartwarming scene. "The next morning, the child spirits were gone, and the salve-maker continued on his way." Brock continues. "But the child-spirits weighed heavily on his mind--just who were they, anyway?"

He grins as he reveals who the spirits really are to the audience. "It dawned on him that the child spirits were really Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie in disguise. He remembered that if you were kind and unselfish, they would stay in your house and bring prosperity. But if you were greedy and mistreated people, they would leave in search of someone else to bless and bring you to ruin. He figured this was why the friend of the rich man prospered, and the rich man brought to ruin."

"Oh"s and applause fill the air as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 1a: Ferdinand and Epona)

Start of a miniseries where Brock weaves a few tales for Pewter Elementary's third graders, who have their year end sleepover in the Fireside.

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Interlude Story 1a: Ferdinand and Epona

(real tale: The Marvelous White Horse)

Brock smiles as he embraces a boy and a girl with similar features to him. "It's always good to see you guys in the audience...how does it feel being where most people don't get to see for a change?"

"A little strange..." the girl muses as more kids arrive and spread out their sleeping bags on the floor of the backstage activity area.

"The teachers told everybody to leave a path for you to reach the center, if you want to perform for us." the boy grins--even though he and his sister get to hear Brock tell stories at home, many of his classmates are not so lucky.

"Any suggestions for what I should tell them?" Brock grins.

"I wanna hear about the big rescue from the underworld! the boy begs.

"Tell the one about Ferdinand and Epona!" the girl asks.

"Tell you what, I'll tell your suggestion first, Terra, then I'll tell Forest's suggestion, then I'll open the floor for requests." Brock assures his siblings. Forest and Terra nod in agreement, and watch as Brock jogs out to a wide open space in the center of the room.

"Hello, and welcome to our humble backstage area...." Brock smiles, quieting the excited chatter. "Does it seem strange you're back behind the scenes--where only certain people get to see?"

More excited cheers go up in reply. "Well, just lay back, relax, and I'll keep the tales of adventure coming all night. If you have any requests, let me know.

Once sure his needed props and instruments are close by, he begins Terra's suggested tale. "There lived in a certain village, in days gone by, a poor man. He was out of work, and in great distress. One day he went into a forest, and asked whether the head woodsman would hire him as a wood-cutter; but upon receiving a resounding no, he was about to return home discouraged, when a hunter met him, and asked why he was so sad. When the man told his story, the hunter said...

In a slightly deeper version of himself, he explains "If you will agree to let me have, in nine years' time, what you will find at home today, I will give you a bag of gold pieces."

As himself, he continues "The man agreed to the bargain, and gave his promise in writing, in return for the gold pieces. When he got back to the village, he found that his wife had given birth to a son, and then realized for the first time how rash his promise had been."

'Uh oh's and 'Oh no's waft through the room. "The nine years passed, and at the end of the ninth year the hunter appeared and took Ferdinand--that was the boy's name--with him, without telling the parents where he was going to take him. They were understandably troubled, but trusted their son would be okay." Brock assures the children. "The hunter took Ferdinand into a strange land, where he had a palace, surrounded by a beautiful garden. As soon as they got there, the hunter showed his charge all the beautiful things in the castle and the garden, and said to him...

"You may go wherever you like, except to the pond that is surrounded by bushes." he instructs as the hunter.

He continues as himself. "Ferdinand memorized that place; and did his best not to accidentally wander there. Some days later, his guardian left him, saying that he was going on a journey. Ferdinand was well cared for, since the servants looked after him. He went through castle and garden, until one day, he found himself by the forbidden pond."

More uneasy chatter fills the room. "Curious, he slipped through the bushes, and saw millions of shiny Goldeens floating in the water." Brock continues. "He was about to take one of them, but just as he touched the water, his finger was covered with gold. He tried to scrape the gold off, but all in vain. Then he tied a rag around the gold finger, and ran back and met his adopted father. He immediately noticed the wrapped finger, and tearing away the cloth, beat Ferdinand senseless for his disobedience, after which he placed the finger in his hands, turning it back to normal skin again."

"Something tells me this hunter's more than he seems..." Forest whispers to a red haired girl, who grins in agreement.

"After some time the hunter went on another journey, and forbade Ferdinand to go into the last room of the castle." Brock continues. "But he was not long gone before Ferdinand, out of curiosity, went in. Here he met an old sage, whom he recognized as his grandfather. He gave him a ruby, a sapphire, and an emerald, and said to him..."

In a mimic of Flint, he instructs "Take these three jewels with you; someday when you are in distress they will be of use to you. Go into the stable, there you will see a shining white Ponyta. sing to her 'Epona, Epona, lar me do charbair' and she will answer you."

As himself, he adds as an aside "That means 'Epona, Epona, I ask your help.'"

He then continues "Ferdinand did as he was told, and when he had sang...

He then sings to the tune of Epona's Song as Ash Epona, Epona, lar me do charbair...,

He replies in a mimic of Misty for Epona "Come on!"

As himself, he continues "Ferdinand jumped on her back, and as quick as an arrow Epona was over the garden wall. After they had ridden for several hours over mountain and valley. Epona said to Ferdinand..."

As Epona, he calls "Look around, and see whether he has caught up yet!"

He interjects as himself "Ferdinand looked around, and saw the hunter chasing after them. Epona told him..."

"Sing to the ruby 'Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...' he instructs as Epona.

"When Ferdinand sang..." Brock then sings as Ash Jao wisha nes chiel com yutuul... before continuing as himself "the ruby glowed, and in a flash of red light, a wall of fire appeared which blocked the road from his pursuer. This bought Epona time to run for some hours, and then ask Ferdinand to look around again. Then he saw his pursuer again, who had apparently found a way around the fire wall.

Gasps go up, but Brock interjects "This time Epona told him..."

"Sing to the sapphire 'Rou iitsa ron selga vichii...'." he instructs as Epona.

"When Ferdinand sang..." Brock then sings as Ash Rou iitsa ron selga vichii..., before continuing as himself "the sapphire glowed, and in a flash of blue light, a great lake appeared, and the pursuer was forced to look for a way across, while Ferdinand and Epona swiftly rode on. After a while Ferdinand was asked to look around a third time, and the hunter had found a way across the lake. Just as he was just about to catch them Ferdinand invoked the emerald..." he pauses to sing as Ash Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo..--and in a flash of green light, a glass mountain sprang up, over which the pursuer could not pass."

Relieved sighs go up at this. "That evening they arrived at a village, where the royal family's summer castle stood." Brock continues. "When Ferdinand dismounted, Epona gave him money, and a blue robe embroidered with silver stars, and said to him..."

"Hire yourself to the gardener of the castle, on the condition that you are only to work by night." he instructs as Epona.

As himself, he continues "Ferdinand agreed, and the royal gardener immediately hired him. So soon as it was dark, he put on his starry garb, and worked quite easily. All that he planted prospered, and he was often praised by his master. During the day he went to the inn to see Epona, and visit with her. In the evening he went back into the castle to work, generally singing all kinds of happy songs."

With that, he scats the tune "Ash's Welcome to Pewter" to mimic Ferdinand singing. Once the clapping dies down, he goes on "The king's daughter, Princess Alina, always listened to him, and the handsome boy made a great impression on her heart."

"Aw"s go up at this. "One day, the king caught a terrible disease." Brock intones. "No healer within miles knew how to cure the king; but after a few days the royal wizard suggested that the king could try drinking Leppa, Kuran, and Razz Berry juice together. However, all three Berries were rare in this land, and not even the royal wizard knew where one could find them. So the king sent his huntsmen out to get these Berries. But all returned empty handed Then the king promised to give Princess Alina to the one who could bring him the Berries. Ferdinand, and two other gardener boys, agreed to go out and find the three kinds of Berries."

Eager speculation races through the room as Brock continues "Ferdinand talked to Epona about it, and Epona carried him into the forest, where he discovered a Kuran Berry bush. On the way home his two fellow servants met him. They were very downhearted, for they had searched in vain. They begged him to give them a portion of his Berries. At first he refused, but then he looked to Epona as if to ask its advice. Epona said okay, so he gave to each of the servants a third of his Berries. The next morning the three boys went out again, and this time Ferdinand found a Leppa Berry tree, which he also shared with the others. The same thing happened on the third morning with the Razz Berries."

He then interjects "But then they started fighting over which of them would take the medicine to the king. Ferdinand, who had consulted Epona, broke it up and said..."

"We will draw straws." he suggests in a mimic of Ash for Ferdinand.

As himself, he continues "So they drew straws, and he got the short straw, so he would go last. He grumbled about this at first, but Epona comforted him, and said...

"The first who brings the three kinds of Berries will cure the king as little as the second." he assures the kids as Epona.

"Sure enough, the king did not get better after tasting of the mixture brought by the gardener boys, and they were thrown, one after another, into the dungeon." he intones as himself. "Then Ferdinand offered his mixture, and the king was in a short time well. But he would not keep his promise, and wanted to buy the poor boy off with money. But Ferdinand would not accept it."

He grins. "Eventually Princess Alina stepped in, saying Ferdinand had met the challenge fair and square. The king relented, and Ferdinand married her. The wedding festivities lasted four days, and they all lived happily ever after."

The kids roar with cheers as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 1b: Meloetta in the Forest)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Interlude Story 1b: Meloetta in the Forest

(real tale: The Wood Maiden)


Suddenly, something occurs to Forest. "I changed my mind, Brock...I want to hear the one about the girl that met Meloetta in the forest."

Brock just smiles and begins "This story concerns a little girl named Rebecca, or just Becky, for short. Her mother was a poor widow with nothing but a tumble-down cottage and two little Skiddos. But poor as they were, Becky was always cheerful. From spring till autumn she let the Skiddos graze in the forest. Every morning when she left home her mother gave her a little basket with a slice of bread and a spindle. 'See that you bring home a full spindle,' her mother always said."

Gigglesof anticipation fill the air. "Becky had no distaff, so she stuffed the flax in her hair. She took the little basket and went romping and singing behind the Skiddos to the forest. When they got there, she sat down under a tree and pulled the flax from her hair with her left hand, and with her right hand unwound the spindle so that it went humming along the ground. All the while she sang until the woods echoed and the Skiddos nibbled away at the leaves and grass. Around noon, she set the spindle aside, called the Skiddos, and gave them a mouthful of bread so that they wouldn't run off, and hurried off into the woods to look for berries or any other wild fruit that was in season. When she had finished her bread and fruit, she would dance in the grass and sing. The sun smiled at her through the green of the trees and the little Skiddos, resting on the grass, thought: 'What a jolly little mistress we have!'" He then proceeds to scat the tune "Light at the Close of Day" and skip around his performance area for effect.

Applause fills the air when Brock finishes his enthusiastic performance. "After she got tired of dancing, she went back to her spinning and worked very hard. In the evening when she got home, her mother never had to scold her because the spindle was empty." Brock smiles as he acknowledges his applause.

Once back in the middle of his performance area, he continues "One day at noon just after she had eaten and was about to start her usual dance, she spotted what she thought was a young lady. She was dressed in black gauze that was fine as a Spinarak's web. Her long green hair, which resembled a musical staff, fell down to her waist and on her head she had what looked like an emerald circlet."

He grins as he reveals who Becky saw. "Becky was speechless with surprise and alarm--her visitor was none other than the Guardian of Song, Meloetta!"

"Becky, do you like to dance?" he asks in a mimic of Melody.

"Oh, I could dance all day long!" he replies in a mimic of Terra for Becky.

"Come, then, let us dance together," he smiles as Melody. "I'll teach you."

As himself, he goes on "With that, she shifted into Pirouette form, put her arm about Becky's waist, and they began to dance. A beautiful song, unlike anything Becky had ever heard before, made Becky's heart race with excitement and pure joy. When she looked to see who was performing the song, she saw the birds all around her, singing the enchanting song--a carefully chosen orchestra that had gathered at Meloetta's request: Pidgeys, Taillows, Swablus, Starlies, Pidoves, Fletchlings, and many many more."

He then proceeds to dance to a song only he seems to hear as he continues "Becky's cheeks burned, her eyes shone. She forgot her spinning, she forgot her Skiddos. All she could do was gaze at her partner who was moving with such grace and lightness that the grass didn't seem to bend under her slender white feet. They danced from noon till sunset, and yet Becky wasn't the least bit tired. Then the dancing ended, the music stopped, and Meloetta disappeared as suddenly as she had come."

Brock then freezes in terror, as if he is Becky. "Becky looked around. The sun was sinking behind the tress. She put her hands to the unspun flax on her head and remembered the spindle that was lying unfilled on the grass. She took down the flax and laid it with the spindle in the little basket. Then she called the Skiddos and started home. She scolded herself bitterly that she had allowed the music fairy to distract her, and she told herself that next time she would not listen to her. She was so quiet that the little Skiddos, missing her usual happy song, looked around to see whether it was really their own mistress who was following them. Her mother, too, wondered why she didn't sing and asked what was wrong."

"Are you sick, Becky?" he asks in a mimic of Lola for the mother.

"No, dear mother, I'm not sick, but I've been singing too much and my throat is dry." he explains as Becky.

"She knew that her mother did not reel the yarn right away, so she hid the spindle and the unspun flax, hoping to make up tomorrow what she had not done today. However, she did not say a word about Meloetta." Brock intones as himself.

Excited chatter goes up as Brock continues "The next day she was happy again, and as she drove the Skiddos to pasture she sang merrily. At the birch wood she sat down to her spinning, singing all the while, for with a song on the lips work falls from the hands more easily. Before long, noon came. Becky gave a bit of bread to each of the Skiddos and ran off to the woods for her berries. Then she ate her lunch beneath the tree."

"Ah, my little Skiddos," he sighs as Becky, "I can't dance today."

"Why can't you dance today?" he asks as Melody.

He narrates as himself "Becky was even more frightened than before and she closed her eyes tight. When Meloetta repeated her question, Becky answered timidly..."

"Forgive me, Guardian of Song, for not dancing with you." he stammers as Becky. "If I dance with you I cannot spin my stint and then my mother will scold me. Today before the sun sets I must make up for what I lost yesterday."

"Come, little one, and dance," he smiles as Melody. "Before the sun sets we'll find some way of getting that spinning done!"

She shifted forms, put her arm around Becky, the birds in the treetops started to sing, and off they whirled." Brock continues as himself, retrieving a familiar silver whistle from a shelf as he speaks. "Meloetta danced more beautifully than ever. Becky couldn't take her eyes from her. She forgot her Skiddos, she forgot her spinning. All she wanted to do was to dance on forever." With that, he plays a set of reels for effect.

Once the applause dies down, Brock continues "At sunset, the dancing and the music stopped. Then Becky, clasping her hands to her head, where the unspun flax was twined, burst into tears. Meloetta took the flax from her head, wound it around the stem of a slender birch, grasped the spindle, and sang Jao wiish nes chiel com yutuul.... The spindle hummed along the ground and filled in no time at all. Before the sun sank behind the trees all the flax was spun, even what was left over from the day before. Meloetta handed Becky the full spindle and said..."

"Remember my words Reel and grumble not!" he warns as Melody.

"When she said this, she vanished in a flash of light." Brock goes on as himself. "Becky was very happy now and she thought to herself on her way home: 'Since she is so good and kind, I'll dance with her again if she asks me. Oh, how I hope she does!' She sang her happy little song, and the Skiddos trotted cheerfully along. But she found her mother angry with her, for she had wanted to reel yesterday's yarn and had discovered that the spindle was not full."

"What were you doing yesterday," he scolds as the mother, "that you didn't spin your stint?"

"Forgive me, mother. I danced too long." he sighs as Becky. Then he remembers something. "See, today I more than made up for yesterday." he smiles as he offers something to a pantomime person.

As himself, he continues "Her mother said nothing but went to milk the Skiddos and Becky put away the spindle. She wanted to tell her mother her adventure, but she thought to herself: "No, I'll wait. If the beautiful fairy Pokemon comes again, I'll ask her who she is and then I'll tell Mama." So she said nothing. On the third morning she drove the Skiddos to the forest, as she always did. The Skiddos went to pasture and Becky, sitting down under a tree, began to spin and sing. When noon came, she laid her spindle on the grass, gave the Skiddos a mouthful of bread, gathered some strawberries, ate her luncheon, and then, giving the crumbs to the birds, she said cheerily..."

"Today, my little Skiddos, I will dance for you!" he declares as Becky.

He interjects as himself "She jumped up, and was about to see whether she could move as gracefully as Meloetta, when Meloetta herself stood before her."

"Let us dance together," he smiles as Melody.

"She smiled at Becky, put her arm around her, and as the music above their heads began to play, they whirled around and around with flying feet." he continues as himself before readying the whistle to play again. "Again Becky forgot all about the spindle and the Skiddos. Again she saw nothing but Meloetta, twirling and spinning on the breeze as if it were solid. Again she heard nothing but the enchanting music that caused her feet to dance by themselves." With that, he plays a set of jigs for effect.

Applause goes up when Brock finishes. "They danced from noon till sunset." he continues as he fingers the whistle. "Then Meloetta paused and the music stopped. Becky looked around. The sun was already behind the trees. She clasped her hands to her head and looking down at the unfilled spindle she burst into tears."

"Oh, what will my mother say?" he cries as Becky.

"Give me your little basket," he offers as Melody, "and I will put something in it that will more than make up for today's stint."

"Becky handed her the basket, and Meloetta took it, laid her hands on it, and sang..." Brock then sings as Melody Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

He then offers something to a pantomime person. "Do not look inside until you're home!" he warns as Melody.

He continues as himself As she said these words she was gone in a flash of green light. Becky wanted to see what was inside, but she was afraid to. The basket was so light that she wondered if there was anything at all in it. Was Meloetta only fooling her? When she was about halfway home she took a peek.

The kids are on the edge of their seats to know what Becky found. "Imagine her surprise when she found the basket was full of birch leaves!" Brock announces. "Becky nearly burst into tears for being so stupid. In her anger she threw out a handful of leaves and was going to empty the basket when she thought to herself 'No, I'll keep what's left as litter for the Skiddos.' She was almost afraid to go home. She was so quiet that the little Skiddos wondered what was wrong with their mistress. Her mother was waiting for her with great excitement."

"For heaven's sake, Becky, what kind of spool did you bring home yesterday?" he asks as the mother.

"Why?" he stammers as Becky

"When you went away this morning I started to wind that yarn. I wound and wound and the spool remained full. One skein, two skeins, three skeins, and still the spool was full. 'What evil spirit has spun that?' I cried, and just like that, the yarn disappeared from the spindle. Tell me, what does it mean?" he asks as the mother.

So Becky confessed and told her mother everything that had happened.

"Oh," he gasps as the mother, "that was the Guardian of Song, Meloetta! She is a happy Pokemon, and sometimes gives gifts to those she favors. Why didn't you tell me? If I hadn't complained, I could have had yarn enough to fill the house!"

He narrates as himself "Becky remembered the little basket and wondered if there might be something under the leaves. She took out the spindle and unspun flax and looked in again."

"Mama!" he cries as Becky. "Come here and see!"

He interjects as himself "Her mother looked and gasped in amazement. The birch leaves were all turned to gold!

"She told me not to look inside until I got home, but I didn't obey." he sighs as Becky.

"It's lucky you didn't empty the whole basket," he replies as the mother.

As himself, he continues The next morning she went to look for the handful of leaves that Becky had thrown away. She found them still lying in the road, but they were only birch leaves. But the riches Becky brought home were enough. Her mother bought a farm with fields and cattle. Becky had pretty clothes and no longer had to herd Skiddos."

He concludes "But no matter what she did, no matter how cheerful and happy she was, still nothing ever again gave her quite so much pleasure as the dance with Meloetta. She often went to the forest in the hope of seeing Meloetta again. Whether she saw Meloetta again, and whether or not they're still dancing there in the forest, you'll have to decide for yourselves."

The kids roar as Brock pockets the whistle and takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 1c: Jack and Moltres, part 1)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Interlude Story 1c: Jack and Moltres, part 1

(real tale: The Little Humpbacked Horse)

"You remember that I had something special planned for tonight?" Brock asks the kids to some cheers."And you've been studying how Moltres turns up in several different folktales around the world?"

"Yeah"s and cheers go up in reply as Brock quickly puts on his harp fingerpicks. "Well, I thought I'd share with you a version of the tale from this area that features our lovable trickster Jack, as a minstrel in a far away land might perform it."

"Oohs" and "ahs" go up as Brock shows the children his harp. "However, this tale's a little lengthy, so I'm breaking it up into three parts, with some other stories in between."

"With that, he starts a light-hearted melody to compose his thoughts. "Past the woods and mountains steep,
Past the rolling waters deep,
You will find a village pleasant
Where once dwelt an old, old peasant." he begins before starting the familiar dreamy melody of "Arran's Lullaby" to set the scene.
"Of his sons-and he had three,
The eldest sharp as he could be;
The middle was neither dull nor bright,
But the third-he was a fool, all right.
Now, these brothers planted wheat,
And brought it to the royal seat,
By which token you may know
That they didn't have far to go."

When the last note of "Arran's Lullaby" fades away, Brock continues "There they sold their golden grain
Counted carefully their gain
And, with well-filled money bags,
Home again would turn their nags."

He then starts a sad melody, his voice a hypnotic drone over the harp. "But, upon a tragic day,
Dire misfortune came their way-
Someone, between dark and dawn,
Took to trampling down their Cornn;
Never had such grief before
Come to visit at their door;
Day and night they sat and thought
How the villain could be caught,
Till at last it dawned on them
That the way to solve the problem
And to save their crops from harm
Was, each night to guard their farm.

As the day drew near its close,
Up the eldest brother rose
And, with pitchfork, axe in hand,
Started out his watch to stand
Dark and stormy was the night,
He was overcome with fright
And, of all his wits deprived,
In the nearest haystack dived.
Slowly night gave way to day;

Our brave watchman left his hay,
And, with water from the well,
Roused himself-then, with a yell,
Pounded on the cottage door..." Laughter goes up as Brock plays a few hard chords to mimic knocking. "And you should have heard him roar!" he grins before starting a melody evoking a simple house.

"'Hey, sleepy-heads,' cried he-
'Open up the door-it's me!
I am soaked right to the skin!
Hurry, there, and let me in!"
Quickly they the door unbarred
Letting in their sentry-guard.
Then they started questioning-
Had he noticed anything?
First, in prayer he bent his head,
Cleared his throat, and then he said
(After bowing left and right):
'Why-I never slept all night!
And I really wonder whether
There was ever fouler weather!
Meowths and Growlithes poured, no joking!
Feel my shirt-it's simply soaking!
Oh, it was an awful night!
But, then, everything's all right.'
Father praised his son with pleasure,
Said: 'Daniel, you're a treasure!
You have served me well, my son,
I can only say, well done!
You have proved that you're a man
And have not disgraced me, Dan!'"

The peaceful melody then turns foreboding. "As next day drew near its close,
Up the second brother rose
And, with pitchfork, axe in hand,
Also went his watch to stand." Brock continues, his speech not quite speaking, but not quite singing either.
"Such a fearful frost set in,
That he shivered in his skin.
Teeth a-chatt'ring in his head,
Freezing, from his post he fled.
All night long, bereft of sense,
He walked around his neighbor's fence.
What a dreadful night he passed!
But the morning came at last,
Found him on the porch once more
Pounding on the cottage door." More laughter goes up over the hard "knocking" chords.

"'Hey, you sleepy heads,' yelled he,
'Let your brother in-it's me!
I am frozen, frozen quite-
It was dreadful cold last night!'
Quickly they the door unbarred
Letting in their sentry guard.
Then they started questioning-
Had he noticed anything?
First, in prayer he bent his head,
Through his teeth, he slowly said
(After bowing left and right):
'Why, I never slept all night!
And I really wonder whether
There was ever colder weather!
It was cold, I'd have you know-
1 kept running to and fro-
Wasn't it a chilly night!
But, then, everything's all right.'

And his father said with pleasure:
'You, Garret, are a treasure.'

Whispers of debate fill the air as the harp's song again turns foreboding, "Evening once again drew near,
Now the third should don his gear,
But he never turned a hair.
Sitting on the oven there,
Singing with his foolish might:
'O, you eyes, as black as night!'
Then to coax and beg dear Jack
Both the elder sons began;" Brock continues over the song.

"Bade him go and guard the grain;
They grew hoarse-but all in vain.
Father finally said: 'Here,
You just listen, Jack my dear,
Go on watch, and if you do.
This is what I'll do for you:
I shall give you beans and peas,
And some pictures, if you please.'

At these words, Jack climbed down,
Donned his coat of russet brown,
Pocketed a lump of bread
And onward to his post he sped.

Night fell and the white moon rose.
On his beat Jack now goes,
Looking sharply all around;
Then he sits upon the ground,
Munching slowly at his bread,
Counts the bright stars overhead.
Suddenly, a neigh resounded-
To his feet our sentry bounded;
Peering round with shaded eyes,
In the field a Pokemon he spies."

He smiles at the enthralled children. "Now, this Rapidash, I'll have you know,
Whiter was than whitest snow,
Silken mane in ringlets streaming
To the ground, all sapphire gleaming.
'Oh, ho ho-so this is it!
You're the rogue-but wait a bit!
I don't like such nasty jokes
Played on honest farming folks!
Trifling never was my line
And I'll jump upon your spine,
Nasty little plague,' said he
And, approaching stealthily..." Giggles go up over Brock's "sneaking" motif.
"Seized her tail as in a vice,
Mounted on her in a trice,
Landed on her with a smack,
Back to front and front to back.
The Rapidash, whose blood was hot,
Started bucking on the spot."

He continues over some frantic chord "Eyes ablaze with angry glow,
Like an arrow from the bow
Over hills and valleys sped,
Over streams and gullies fled,
On her haunches rearing, prancin'
'Neath the forest branches dancin'
All her wiles and strength in vain
Plying, to be free again.
But-she found her match at last-
To her tail Jack stuck fast."

As the last chords fade, Brock continues "Finally, she said to him,
Spent, and trembling in each limb
'Since you mount me, I confess
I am yours now to possess;
Find a place for me to rest,
Care for me as you know best,
But-remember this my warning:
That for three days, every morning
You must let me out to graze.
At the end of these three days,
Two such handsome steeds I'll raise
As have ne'er been seen, I swear
And a third I promise you,
Only twelve hands high, with blue
Mane like mine, and shining fur upon her back-
Ears-a yard long; eyes-coal-black
If you wish, why, sell the two,
But, Jack, whatever you do,
Part not with the little steed,
Though you be in direst need,
Nor for gold, nor silken raiment,
Nor for lucky charm in payment.
Faithful friend to you she'll be,
Where you go, on land or sea;

She'll find shade from summer's heat,
Keep you warm in snow and sleet,
Find your food in time of need,
Quench your thirst with cooling mead.
Afterwards, you'll set me free,
Let me roam at liberty.'

"Did Jack let the Rapidash go?" a boy asks.

"Now, Jack thought this through, all right,
Found her shelter for the night
In an empty shepherd's shack;
O'er its door he hung a sack..." Brock replies in verse.
"Then he homeward made his way
With the early light of day,
Singing merrily: 'Heigh-ho, heigh-ho,
It's home from work I go.'

Even the adults laugh at the subtle "Snow White' reference. "See him near his home once more,
Knocking at the cottage door,
Calling out with might and main,

Till the rafters rang again.
You'd have sworn, to hear him scream
That a fire had broken out." Brock continues, quieting the laughter.
"Up sprang his brothers from their beds
Jumped in fright, and scratched their heads
Stammering: 'Who knocks so loud
'Me, Jack,' came answer proud
So they opened up the door,
Let him in, and roundly swore
At Jack-how did he dare
Give his brothers such a scare?
But Jack, with heedless air,
Climbed up on the oven, where,
Lying down in all his clothes,
He related, at repose,
His adventures-while, amazed,
Open-mouthed, his hearers gazed.
'Well, I didn't sleep all night,
Counting all the stars so bright.
Possibly, the moon was there,
Though I really wouldn't swear-
Darkrai suddenly appeared,
Flaming white mane, body black,
Meowth-like face and blood-red eyes;

I stared on in stark surprise
As that demon, with his tail,
Whipped the wheat as with a flail.
You know, joking's not my line-
So I jumped right on his spine.
He led me a dance, look you-
Nearly cracked my head in two.
But I'm not a fool-not quite-
Like a vice, I held him tight.
How that cunning rascal tried!
Finally, he begged and cried:

'Spare my life this once, please do!
For a year, I promise you
Not to break a single law,
Mortal folks to plague no more.'
I believed him on the spot-
Off of Darkrai's back I got.'
And Jack then said no more-
Yawned and soon began to snore,
While his brothers, though they tried
Not to laugh until they cried,
Laughing at that bonehead's joke-
You'd have thought that they would choke!
Father, too, could not refrain-
Laughed, and cried, and laughed again,
Though it is a sin, some say,
For old men to laugh that way."

The teachers chuckle at the wry comment. "Since that night, I cannot say
How much time had passed away," Brock adds as an aside.
"For of this I heard no word
Nor from man, nor beast, nor bird.
What is this to you or me
Whether one year passed, or three?
Time can't be recalled, once fled..."

He then plays a soft flourish on the harp. "So I will tell this tale and play my harp instead."

After playing a festive melody to mimic the passage of time, he resumes speaking "Well, Daniel-(I should say-
This was on a holiday)
Tipsy, reeled along the track
Leading to that shepherd's shack.
There he saw a handsome pair-
Of steeds, with manes of ruby flame,
And beside them, in its stall,
Stood a Ponyta, so small,
Shining fur on her little back;

Ears a yard long; eyes-coal-black.
All the fumes immediately
Left Daniel's head, and he
Murmured: 'Hm! At last it's clear
Why that fool is sleeping here!'
Breathless bursting home, Daniel
Cried excitedly: 'Garret,
Come and see that lovely pair
Our young fool has hidden there-
Steeds, with manes of rubyflame hair-
No one saw their likes, I swear."
Fast as legs could carry, Dan,
Barefoot, with Garret ran,
Through the fields, as though on wings
Heedless of the nettle stings.

Thrice they fell, and thrice they rose,
Bruised their eyes and tore their cloth
Ere they reached the shepherd's shad
Rubbing one another's back.
Here, two chargers met their gaze-
Snorting, ruby eyes ablaze,
Silken tails in ringlets streaming,
Rubies in the shadows gleaming;

And their hoofs, of diamonds made,
Were with monster pearls inlaid.
Yes, it cannot be denied-
Ponytas fit for kings to ride.
And they nearly burst from spleen
As they stared upon this scene;
The eldest, gaping, scratched his head-
'Where'd he get them from?' he said.
'This just proves the ancient rule-
Fortune favors but the fool.
Though you'd rack your brains, you'd never
Raise a coin, though you're clever.
Say, Garret-let's go down,
This week, to the fair in town,
Sell them to the nobles there;
We will share the takings fair-
And, with money, you'll agree
We can have a merry spree,
Once we set our pockets jingling,
While not e'en the slightest inkling
Of his Ponytas' whereabouts
Will he have, that foolish lout.
Let him search for them high and low-
Strike the bargain, brother-so!'"

"Oohs" go up over the harp's tense chord "Said and done-and here, each brother
Crossed himself and kissed the other," Brock continues over his song, his voice again like a hypnotic drone.
"They went home in glee together
Chatting, in the highest feather,
Of the steeds, their future feast,
And that little wonder beast.

Slowly, time crept on its way,
Hour by hour and day by day;
Fair-day came and found them dressed
For the town, in all their best;
There they meant to sell their ware,
Find out, at the harbor there,
What strange ships had put to port,
And what linens merchants sought;
See them at their icons praying,
Then, for Father's blessing staying,
After which, in secret, they
Took the steeds and stole away.

Night her shadows softly spread,
And Jack set out for bed.
Through the village he went, swinging
Munching at his crust, and singing;
Through the meadow now he skips,
With his hands upon his hips;
In the shack, upon his toes,
Like a very lord, he goes.
Everything was in its place-
But the steeds-of them no trace!
Only tiny Epona, neighing,
Fawned around her feet, a-playing,
Flapping both ears left and right,
Prancing happily in delight.
At this sight, oh how Jack did cry,
As he leaned against the door.
'Oh, my Ponytas, in the night,
With your ruby manes so bright!
Did not I look after you?
What foul demon stole you? Who?

Plague on him, the dirty dog!
May he perish in a bog!
When he to the next world goes,
May he trip and break his nose!
Oh, my Ponytas lost in the night,
With your ruby manes so bright!'

He then plucks out the first three notes of Epona's Song to signal the children that this little shiny Ponyta has magic power. "Epona neighed and shook her head:
'Do not fret, Jack,' she said.
"Yes, your loss is great, I know-
But I'll help you in your woe.
Blame old Darkrai for his deeds-
Your two brothers stole those steeds.
Dry your tears, Jack-make haste-
We have not much time to waste.
Mount my back-when I say: 'Go,'
Hold to me for all you know.
Though I'm small-that's true, of course,
I'm as good as any Ponyta.
Once I get into my pace
Any demon I'll outrace.'

"Wow"s and excited chatter fill the air at this. "Saying this, she stretched out flat,
On her back Jack then sat,
Grabbed her ears and held them tight,
Shouting out with all his might..." Brock continues before playing some flowing chords to mimic a Ponyta running "The shining Ponyta's sinews quivered,
She stood on her feet and shivered
Shook her mane and, with a neigh,
Like an arrow sped away.
Only dust clouds marked the course
Of the rider and the Ponyta.
On they flew, as quick as thought-
In a trice, the thieves were caught."

Once the last chord fades, he continues "Seeing him, his brothers stared,
Scratched their heads, confused and scared
Angrily, Jack did exclaim:
'Brothers, are you not ashamed!
Though you're clev'rer than Jack,
Still, Jack's an honest man.
I did not rob you-not I!'
The eldest, squirming, did reply:
'We are both to blame, I fear,
But, dear brother-listen here-
And, consider if you please
That we lead no life of ease;

Though we sow a lot of wheat,
We can hardly make ends meet.
Our rent's always overdue,
The magistrates, they fleece us too.
So, Garret, here, and I
All last night ne'er closed an eye
Talking of our sorry plight
And of how to put things right;

So, to meet our many needs,
We resolved to sell your steeds
For a thousand at the fair-
Not a penny less, I swear;
And, in gratitude to you,
Bring you back a gift or two-
High-heeled boots of finest leather,
And a cap, with bells and feather.
Then-the old man's frail and ailing-
He can work no more-he's failing,
Yet must dodder out his span-
Come, you're not a fool, Jack.'
"If that's so," Jack said, "well,
I suppose you'd better sell
My two ruby-crested horses-
Take me with you-let's join forces.'"

He then intones over a somber chord "If thoughts could, their thoughts were ill
But, of course, they feigned goodwill."

"Uh oh"s and fearful murmurs compliment the flowing chords that simulate wind. "Soon the sky grew overcast,
Colder, colder blew the blast,
So they ran to take shelter
So as not to lose the track,
In a forest; the steeds were made
To rest beneath its leafy shade." Brock continues before starting a mysterious song to represent the forest.
"There they made themselves at ease,
Ate and drank beneath the trees,
After which, in happy mood,
Each made himself happy, as best he could.

Soon, Daniel saw a light
In the darkness of the night;
Nudged Garret on the sly,
Cunningly, he winked an eye,
Pointed where the light was burning,
Coughed a muffled cough of warning,
After which he scratched his head.
'My-how dark it is,' he said.
'If Lugia would show his face
Even for a little space,
How much better it would be-
Why, the blindest Noctowl can see
More than us-but stay-look there-
Can you see it? I declare
Something's burning-yes, a fire!
Just the thing that we require!
Listen, now, Jack dear,
Go and fetch some embers here-
For it really slipped my mind,
And I left my flint behind."
To himself says brother Daniel:

"'May you break your neck, young man!'
Says Garret, "'Do I care?'
Who knows what is burning there?
If a highwayman besets him,
We forever can forget him.'

Some cheers go up as Brock plays Epona's motif again. "So our hero, who knew no care,
Climbed on fair Epona there,
Twined her mane around his wrist,
Urged her on with heel and fist,
Shouting out with all his might.
Up Epona rose out of sight.
Then Garret cried in fright:
'Saints be with us all this night!
Save us. Arceus, from all our sin-
Say-what demon's under him?'

The crowd roars with laughter at the brother's reaction to Epona. "Brighter, brighter shone the light,
Swifter, swifter was their flight
Till they halted where it lay-
There, the field was bright as day,
Lit by wondrous brilliant rays-
Cold and smokeless in their blaze!
Here, Jack in stark surprise,
Stared and said: 'Why, bless my eyes
Look-there's light in plenty there-
But no smoke or heat-I swear
Now, this is a curious light.'" Brock narrates once the laughter quiets.

He then plays Epona's three notes again. "Quoth Epona: 'You're quite right
And you very well may stare!
That is Moltres' feather there!
But, Jack, for your own sake,
Touch it not, for in its wake
Many sorrows, many woes
Follow everywhere it goes.'
Growled our hero: 'You're telling me-
Woes and sorrows-we shall see!"
So he wrapped it up with care

In a rag to hide the glare,
Hid it in his hat, and then
Galloped swiftly back again;
Tied Epona to a tree,
To his brothers then said he:
'When I got there, all I found,
Was a burnt stump on the ground;
I blew hard to raise a spark,
Nearly burst there in the dark.
And I puffed and puffed-in vain,
For it wouldn't burn again!'
Both his brothers laughed all night
At Jack, in sheer delight.
He, however, merely crept

'Neath the tree and snoring, slept
Till the dawning of the day,
When to town they drove away,
Halting at the royal fair,
Opposite the palace there."

More excited whispers race through the room--where there's a palace, there's a king close by! "Now, there was an old tradition
That, without the mayor's permission
Nothing could be bought or sold,
Nor for barter, nor for gold." Brock explains before playing a few high chords to mimic bells. "As the shrine-bells called for prayer
On his Ponyta rode the mayor;

Spurred and belted, furs on shoulders
Guarded by a hundred soldiers,
Near him, young and yet sedate,
Rode a herald in full state,
Golden trumpet regally sounding..." He weaves the notes of a typical trumpet call into his song for effect.
"Voice stentorian resounding..."

Brock then takes a deep breath and proclaims in character as the herald "Hear ye, honest merchants there,
Open up and sell your wares!
And you watchmen-stay you near,
Guard their stalls-keep eye and ear
Sharp, maintaining strictest order,
Keep from riots and disorder;

See no rogue, however sly,
Fools good folk with honeyed lie."

Excited cheers fill the air "Then the merchants loudly call,
As each opens up his stall:
'Honest masters-come this way!
See what wares we have today!
Oh, come buy! Come buy! come buy!
Our goods always satisfy!'
Buyers flock like bugs round honey
Choose their goods and pay their money
As the coins change hands and clink
Merchants to the watchmen wink." Brock continues over a peaceful song that evokes a town in a land far away. "Meanwhile, with his guards, the mayor
Halted at the royal fair,
Where he saw a crowd so great,
That it blocked almost every gate,
Surging like a stormy sea,
Shouting, laughing lustily.
Here, the mayor, who wished to see
What in the world was so funny,
Gave his troops an order to
Clear the way and let him through.
'Hey, you ragamuffins there-
Make way! Make way for the mayor!'
Shouted his bewhiskered soldiers,
Cracking whips on backs and shoulders.
Doffing hats, the crowd in pain,
Stepped aside and made a lane.

Then the mayor rode in the fair,
Saw two chargers standing there-
Handsome Ponytas, white as snow,
Flaming manes in fireglow
Ruby in the sunlight streaming,
Flowing tails, all red and gleaming.
Here the old man stroked his beard
And his anger disappeared.
'Wondrous is this world,' quoth he
"Countless are its marvels-see!"
And his guards bowed to the ground
Dumbstruck by his speech profound.
Then the mayor gave out strict order
'Gainst all tumults and disorders,
That those steeds, on no condition,
Might be sold without permission;
Set a guard, and off to court
Raced to hand in his report."

He then starts a regal song to signal the audience the king has finally made his appearance. "Straightway to the king went he.
'Pardon, Gracious Majesty!'
Cried the mayor, as he fell prone
Breathlessly before the throne.
'Be not angry with your slave-
Suffer me to speak, I crave.'
'Speak,' vouchsafed the king. 'Consent
But be sure your words make sense.'
'I shall try, Your Majesty,
I am Lord Mayor here, you see,
I would give my life for you ...'
'Yes-we know-we know 'tis true.'
'Sire, I rode to the royal fair
With my guard today, and there I beheld a crowd, so great,
That it blocked up almost every gate;

So I told my men that they
Break the crowd and clear the way-
Which they did. Your Majesty.
In I rode-what did I see
When I got inside the fair?
I saw two great Ponytas there-
Handsome mounts, white as snow,
Flaming manes in fireglow,
Ruby in the sunlight streaming,
Flowing tails, all red and gleaming,
And their hoofs, of diamonds made,
Were with monster pearls inlaid.'

Cried the king excitedly:
'We shall have to go and see-
And, if they are all you say,
We will buy those two today.
Ho! My coach !'-he clapped his hands
And his coach all ready stands-
Donned his robes and crown with care
And in all haste drove to the fair,
Followed by his Guard of State.

When he stopped outside the gate,
All the people straightaway
Kneeled and wildly cheered: 'Hurray!'
In reply, the king smiled brightly,
Bowed, and from his coach sprang light
Charmed by those two steeds, the king
Gazed at them from near and far,
Praised and praised them once again,
Softly stroked each ruby mane,
Gently patted each steed's spine,
Felt their necks, so sleek and fine.

After he had gazed his fill,
He turned round with right goodwill,
Saying: 'My good people, who
Owns these handsome Ponytas two?
Who's the master?' Here, Jack,
Arms akimbo, like a warrior,
Pushed his brothers both aside,
Puffed his cheeks and proudly cried:
'Majesty, these steeds belong to me,
I'm their owner, too, you see.'

'Will you sell them to me, say?'
'No, I'm swapping them today.'
'What will you be taking, then?'
'Twice five caps-and that makes ten,
Full of silver-that's my price!'
So the coins were in a trice
Counted out-the king, in pleasure,
Gave five gold coins for good measure-
Generous a king was he!"

Brock allows his last chord to ring for a moment before continuing. "Ten grey grooms in livery,
Trimmed with gold and silver slashes,
Each with brightly colored sashes,
Each with saffian whip in hand,
Took the Ponytas' bridles, and
Led them to the royal palace,
But the steeds, whether in play, or malice,
Tripped their grooms and straightway raced
Bridles broken, to Jack."

He then resumes the king's motif. "Back the king drove to Jack,
Said to him: 'Look here, my man,
Now, my grooms can't hold those two-
So, there's nothing else to do,
But to come along with me.
I shall issue a decree,
Make you Master of my Ponyta,
Like a lord, you'll live, of course;
You'll have raiment of the best,
Gold brocade upon your chest;
On my royal word-you'll see!
Are you willing?' 'Well, I'll be ...
In the palace I shall live!
And to me, the king will give
Handsome raiment of the best,
Gold brocade upon my chest!

Like a lord, I'll live in clover,
Rule the royal stables over!
I, a farm boy, now will be
A servant to His Majesty!
Well, I never! Your commission,
I accept, milord, on condition-
That you never treat me rough,
Always let me sleep enough-
Or you'll see no more of me!'

Whistling to his Ponytas, he
Sauntered through the city, singing,
Carelessly his mittens swinging,
Followed by his steeds a-prancing
And holy Epona a-dancing
To the rhythm of his song,
And the marvel of the throng.

As for his two brothers, they
Stowed the silver safe away
In their belts; then, in high feather,
Had a drink or two together
And rode home in glee; once there,
Shared the money fair and square;
Married, 'mid much joy and laughter,
Lived and prospered ever after.
And the rest of all their days
Spoke of their Jack with praise."

He concludes "Let us now forget those two
And, good children, that is true,
But I'll amuse you if I can
With the deeds of our hero Jack.
How he ruled the stables over,
Living like a lord in clover,
And was taken for a sprite;

How he lost his feather bright;
How he laid Moltres' snare;
How he stole the princess fair;
How he found her ring for her,
How he was her messenger;
How Ho'oh, at his request,
Gave the Great Wailord his rest;
One more deed, but not the least,
How he thirty ships released;
How, when boiled in cauldrons, he
Came out handsome as could be.
In a word, how our young hero
Ended up as King Jack."

The crowd roars as the last chord fades away. But Brock just sets the harp aside and takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 1d: The Rogue Phoenix)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Interlude Story 1d: The Rogue Phoenix

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 107, story 1)

"Long ago, when people were only just beginning to settle in what is today Pewter City, the land in the area was not suitable for crops, and even you did plant a field, the number of crops that did grow was very few." Brock begins his next tale. "It was little wonder that everyone in the village was very poor."

He then intones "As if that wasn't bad enough--or maybe it was a good thing, depending on who you ask--the peak of Mt. Moon shone brightly one night, and a firebird appeared. Like Moltres, she was simultaneously beautiful and terrifying, but unlike her holy counterpart, this firebird only wanted to cause trouble--when she flew above the rivers and lakes, the water bubbled and turned to steam, and many plains and forests burned in her wake."

Fearful murmurs waft through the room at this. "The people made many offerings and said many prayers to Arceus asking to do something about the rogue firebird." Brock goes on. "Finally, after many long nights of praying, the people saw a bright light come from the mountain peak--Arceus and the rogue firebird were battling!"

Excited cheers fill the air. "The ground shook like an earthquake, and all the villagers could do was take cover and watch." Brock continues over the cheering.

He lifts a hand to quiet the cheers before they reach a fever pitch. "Eventually, the rogue phoenix amd Arceus fell from the mountain, where they both slept for a long time."

Once the room is relatively quiet again, he goes on "A few years passed, and the villagers returned to their daily lives. But the village ws no better off than before, and many prayers went up to Arceus asking for a little luck, and the rogue phoenix be driven away. All the prayers gave Arceus new strength, and he vowed that the village would not be burned again."

Some kids swallow hard as Brock continues "The village elders had forbidden anyone to go into the mountains without permission, lest they somehow awaken the sleeping phoenix. In desperation, hundreds of young men asked the elders every day so they could gather food, herbs and wood. Despite the elder's pleas, some began to enter the mountains without permission. All the rumbling and cutting eventually awoke the phoenix, and the first thing it did when it woke was set the village aflame."

Gasps go up at the turn of events. "Horrified at what had happened, the villagers desperately prayed for Arceus to help them. Arceus broke free from the rocks and raced to the peak to challenge the phoenix again." Brock announces. "The phoenix tried to trap Arceus in a ring of fire, but it only fizzled out after a few seconds thanks to Arceus' holy power. The battle raged for seven days and seven nights, but eventually, Arceus emerged victorious and chased the rogue phoenix away, never to be seen again."

Relieved sighs fill the room as Brock concludes "Ever since then, a statue of Arceus stands at the start of the path leading into Mt. Moon, in rememberance of the epic battle."

The teachers lead the applause as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 1e: The Miser's Funeral)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Interlude Story 1e: The Miser's Funeral

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 108, story 3)


"In a certain village lived aman who was renowned for being a miser." Brock begins. "In fact, he was so stingy he would eat his own spit mixed with rice for breakfast, the Berry he initially drooled over for lunch, and the seeds for dinner."

"Ew"s waft through the room at this. "When he went walking, he wasn't content to just walk--he would pick up anything that looked even remotely like treasure. Brock continues "He was very wealthy, but there was one thing that troubled him--of his three sons, who would inherit his wealth? The eldest cared more about wine, women and song than money, the middle son was obsessed with material things, and the youngest wasn't exactly the brightest diamond in the mine."

Giggles go up at this. "So one day, he called the three of them and asked them that if he hypothetically were to die tomorrow, what kind of funeral would they give?" Brock goes on, acknowledging Terra, who is smiling dreamily, with a nod. "The eldest son replied they'd get the best black outfits money could buy, and the casket would be carried by six people in identical black robes. The casket itself would be made from gold and jewels, seven mikos would preside over the funeral proper, and they would even go so far as to hire professional mourners--people that the rich and nobility paid to cry at their funerals to create the illusion that someone loved them."

"Wow"s go up as the children picture the opulent funeral. "The service would take place in the biggest temple they could find--even the Great Temple in the Aiiro City. All the guests would have at least one gift, of course." Brock grins. "But the father was floored when told that the bill for this hypothetical funeral would be a million gold pieces at least. He scolded the eldest son, saying the family would be in debt for years from that kind of funeral."

More laughter goes up at this. "The middle son imagined that the funeral be a celebration of his father's life--lanterns and flowers would be hung up on every house in town, and hire all kinds of musicians, dancers, actors, and entertainers." Brock continues as he retrieves his guitar and plays a familiar song often heard at the summer festival. "The casket would be flanked by even more musicians playing his father's favorite songs, with the casket itself atop a high tower and carried by the three of them."

The kids are hysterical at the comical scene. "Needless to say, the man scolded the middle son too, saying that funerals were supposed to be somber, and that kind of funeral sounded more like a party." Brock explains. "The youngest son imagined the funeral being as cheap as possible--the memorial flowers would be planted at least a month in advance, and rather than a miko presiding over the funeral, he would conduct the service himself. He wouldn't bother with a procession, because then he would have to pay for food and drinks for everyone. And rather than spending a lot on a casket, just bury him in a barrel--it was going underground, so no one would see it, so what was the point of it looking good? The man was pleased with his youngest son, and left his money and funeral planning to him.

He concludes "Ten years passed, and the man succumbed to a terrible disease. The youngest son made good on his promise, and word of the world's cheapest funeral spread far and wide. Though the man had few friends in life, those that heard the story had to admit that it was very appropriate for such a cheapskate."

Laughter and applause fill the air as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 2a: Jack and Moltres, part 2)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Interlude Story 2a: Jack and Moltres, part 2

(real tale: The Little Humpbacked Horse)

Excited whispers fill the air as Brock finds the box holding the harp fingerpicks. "Tales, you know, are quickly spun,
Deeds are sooner said than done." he cautions as he puts the fingerpicks on, signaling he is ready to tell the next part of Jack's adventure.

He then cradles the harp in his other hand, playing a dream-like melody all the while. "Once again my tale proceeds
Of our hero Jack and his deeds,
Of the tiny shining
Talking Ponyta, with magic power." He plays Epona's three notes to illustrate his point.
"Gogoats grazing on the seas,
Hills are overgrown with trees;
Golden bridle, loosely swinging,
See the mare sunward winging-
Far below him, forests glide;
Thunderclouds, on every side,
Race across the sky and dash,
Hurling lightning as they crash."

"Wow"s fill the room at this. "But wait-this is the prelude to
What I will be telling you." Brock reminds the kids.
"Have you heard of Ember Island
Floating on the ocean wild, and
Of the maiden wondrous fair
Sleeping in a casket there?
Forest Pokemon with gentle tread
Guard her grave, while overhead
Fletchlings let their music pour.
Wait, my friends, a little more-
Now my prelude's said and done,
And tonight's tale is begun."

With that, he plays a long and flowing chord to signal that they have crossed into the world of fantasy. "Well, good friends and comrades true,
Fellow-countrymen-look you-
Our young hero made his way
To the palace that fine day.
He is Master of the Ponyta
And he doesn't pine, of course,
For his brothers and his dad." he begins.

"And, indeed, why should our lad,
Living in the royal court,
Waste on them a single thought?
He has garments bright in plenty
And possesses at least five and twenty
Chests, all full of caps and shoes
Out of which to pick and choose.
All he does is eat his fill,
Slake his thirst, and sleep at will."

The harp's song then turns somber, heralding a villain's appearance. "Now, the chamberlain began,
As weeks passed, to watch Jack ...
You should know, that he had been
(Till Jack came on the scene)
Master of the Ponyta
His was noble blood, of course." Brock explains over the tense melody.

"So, no wonder that he bore
Evil will towards Jack, and swore
That he'd die, but soon or late
Drive the upstart from the gate.
But the rogue, his good time biding
And his double-dealing hiding,
Pretended to be Jack's best friend,
Masked his feelings to this end,
Thinking-'Just you wait, you dirty lout,
The time will come, I'll turn you out."

Angry and fearful murmurs waft through the room. "So, the chamberlain began
As weeks passed, to watch Jack;
And he noticed that he never
Fed or groomed those steeds, or ever
Took them out for exercise;
Yet those steeds, to his surprise,
Always were, whene'er paraded,
Brushed and burnished, manes a-braided,
Tails, in ruby fire streaming,
Glossy coats, like satin gleaming,
Mangers-always full of wheat
Which, it seemed, grew at their feet.
And huge tubs, he could have sworn,
Were fresh-filled with sweet water every morn.
"Now, whatever can this mean?"
Sighed the chamberlain in spleen-
"Can it be, a goblin sprite
Comes and plays his pranks at night?
Watch him-that's what I shall do.
And it should be easy to
Spin a story in a flash
And to settle that fool's hash.
I shall tell the king, of course,
That the Master of the Ponyta
Is a wicked one, a fraud!

And a sorcerer as well;
Darkrai his soul has taken,
That he has Arceus' teachings forsaken,
Bows before a different throne
Or something worse than that."

Some of the children bo and hiss the chamberlain at this. "So, the former Chief of Ponyta
(the chamberlain, in case you've forgotten)
That same evening hid away
In a stall, beneath some hay." Brock continues as the teachers rush to quiet the boos.

He then plays a motif that sounds like a ticking clock. "Blackest midnight came at last,
Pit-a-pat, his heart beat fast;
Lying there, with bated breath,
He peeped out, as still as death,
Waiting for that sprite-when hark!
Loud the door creaked in the dark,
And the Ponytas pawed the ground
As Jack, without a sound,
Entered-though he looked, of course,
Like the Master of the Ponyta;
First he barred the door; then he
Took his hat off carefully,
And from it he slowly took
Out his handkerchief, which he shook
Till Moltres' feather blazed;

While the chamberlain, amazed,
Nearly screamed there in the hay,
Almost gave himself away.
Unsuspectingly, our hero
In a corn-bin placed the light,
After which, with tender care,
He commenced to groom the pair;
Braided their fine manes so long,
While he sang a merry song;
Meanwhile, crouching there and quiver:
Hair all bristling, skin a-shivenng,
Stared the chamberlain in fright
At the joker of the night.
He could not believe his eyes-
Sure the sprite was in disguise!
It nor horns nor whiskers wore-
'Twas a handsome lad he saw!
Hair with ribbons brightly dressed,
Gold brocade upon his chest;

Saffian boots right to his knees-
This was our hero, if you please!
Now, what could this mean? Our spy
Stared again and rubbed his eye
And he growled out finally:
"Oh, so that is it! I see!
Very well! I'll tell the king
What a smart young man you are!
Just you wait until tomorrow-
You'll remember me with sorrow!"
But Jack, quite unaware
Of the evil lurking there,
Happily sings his little song,
As he braids those manes so long.
After he had groomed each steed,
Filled each tub with cooling water,
And the bins with choicest corn,
He let out a sleepy yawn,
Wrapped the feather up once more,
Laid himself upon the floor;
By his Ponyta made his bed
With his hat beneath his head."

He continues alone as the last notes fade. "With the dawn, the chamberlain
Stretched his limbs to ease the strain
And, on hearing our Jack
Snoring loud as a buzzsaw,
Rose, and on his tip-toes crept
Cautiously to where he slept,
Snatched the feather from his hat
Then he vanished-just like that!" He plays a hard chord on the word "that" to illustrate his point.

Nervous giggles fill the air as Brock continues over the royal motif, his voice a hypnotic drone weaving through the ethereal melody he is playing. "As the king woke with a snore,
There he stood, right at the door;
Bowing low, until his head
Hit the floor, he whined and said:
"To confess, O Majesty,
I have dared to come to thee!
Be not angry with thy slave-
Suffer me to speak, I crave."
"Speak, without exaggeration
And without prevarication."
Yawned the king. "If you tell fibs,
Know, the knight will count your ribs."
Gathering his courage, he
Said: "God bless Your Majesty!
By the Lord Arceus, forsooth,
I am telling you the truth.
All the court knows it is true-
That Jack conceals from you
That which can't be bought or sold
Nor for silver, nor for gold-
It's a feather from Moltres, see,
Which he hides, Your Majesty."
"What! Moltres! And he dare,
Cursed varlet, such a rare ...
Oh, the villain-wait and see
What a whipping there will be!"
"That's not all," the chamberlain
Whispered, as he bowed again.

"Were it but the feather, he
Might retain it, Majesty-
But, he boasts, as I have heard,
That, did you but say the word,
He could bring the Legendary Bird of Fire
To your royal chamber, Sire."
And the spy, with servile tread,
On all fours approached the bed,
Dropped the treasure-and once more
Banged his head upon the floor."

Laughter goes up at this before Brock continues "Long the king, enchanted, gazed,
Chortled, stroked his beard, amazed
Bit the feather's tip, then he
Placed it under lock and key,
Shouted in impatience and,
As confirming his command,
Waved his scepter in the air:
"Hey! You! Fetch me that fool there!

All the lords-in-waiting ran
Immediately to fetch Jack;
But, colliding near the door,
Fell and sprawled upon the floor,
While the king in huge delight
Roared with laughter at the sight;
So his lords, all quick to see
What so pleased His Majesty,
Winks exchanged as they once more
Threw themselves upon the floor.
Whereupon, amused thereat,
He gave each a brand-new hat,
After which they once more ran
Hurrying, to fetch Jack;
And without an accident
This time, on their mission went.

When they reached the stables, they
Rushed inside without delay,
Fell upon our poor hero there,
Kicked him, punched him, pulled his hair,
Fully half an hour or more-
All Jack did, was to snore,
Finally, a stable groom
Woke him with a stable broom.
Jumping up, Jack cried out:

"Varlets-what are you about?
I shall teach you not to worry
Me, you villains, in a hurry,
When I'm sleeping in my bed."
But the lords-in-waiting said:
"Up! The king sent us to say
That you come without delay!"
"Oh, the king? Ah, well, then, wait-
I will dress and go there straight,"
Yawning answered our hero Jack.
So he put on his feathered hat,
Tied his belt in its place,
Combed his hair and washed his face;
And strode forth in pompous pride,
Horse whip dangling by his side.
When he reached His Majesty,
Our hero Jack bowed low, then he
Hummed and hawed and puffed his chest
Said: "Why did you spoil my rest?"
Here, the king jumped up in bed,
Left eye squinting, seeing red.
"Silence," angrily roared he-
"It is you must answer me!
By what law and what decree
Have you from Our Majesty
Hidden what is ours by right?
Yes-the Firebird's feather bright?
Am I not your lawful king?
Answer, rogue that you are!"

He grins as he savors the enthralled looks on the children's faces. "But Jack made answer bold-
Waved his hand and shouted: "Hold!
When did I give you my hat?
How could you discover that?
What-have you got magic sight?
You can lock me up, all right,

You can have me beaten flat-
I've no feather, and that's that!"
"You'll be flogged! Now answer me!'
"But I'm speaking plainly-see,
I've no feather-and, how, pray,
Could such wonders come my way?"
Here the king sprang to the floor,
Shook the feather with a roar-
"What is this? Now will you dare
Stand and contradict me there?"
Here Jack gave just one look,
Like a storm-tossed leaf he shook,
Dropped his hat in sheer dismay.
"Ah, you don't know what to say,"
Said the king. "But wait, my man ...'
"Mercy, mercy," cried Jack,
Grovelling upon the floor,
At the king's feet, sobbing sore-
"Pardon me this once, please do
And I'll lie no more to you."
"You'll be pardoned for the offense,
Seeing you have erred but once,"
Said the king. "But bear in mind
I may not always be so kind.
Gracious, when I'm angry-why,
I make hairs and heads to fly!
That's what I am like, my man,
So, let's not waste words, Jack.
You have boasted, as I've heard,
That, did I but say the word,
You could bring Moltres, the Bird of Fire
To the chamber of your sire.
Now, do not say 'No' to me-
Do your best and bring one, see?"
Up Jack bounced like a ball:
"Nothing of the sort at all,"

Shouted he, and wiped his eye;
"I that feather don't deny-
But the talk about the bird
Is as false as it's absurd."
Wrathfully, the king's beard shook:
"What-me argue with you? Look!
If you do not bring to me
That Firebird, in twenty one days free,
To my Royal Chamber, now,
By my Royal Beard I vow,
Hide yourself where e'er you please-
Under ground, or under seas-
I'll have you impaled, my man!
Off, you scum!"

Fearful gasps go up, but Brock quickly assures them "In tears, Jack
To the hayloft made his way
Where holy little Epona lay." Some excited whispers fill the air over Epona's three note motif.

"Hearing him, Epona ran
Full of joy to meet Jack;
But on seeing him in tears,
Almost sobbed, and drooped her ears:
"Why, dear Jack, are you so sad?
Tell me what's the matter, lad,"
Said she, fawning around her knees.
"Put your mind, Jack, at ease,
Tell me what has happened, please-
Just confide in me, Jack,
I will help you if I can.
Are you sick? If not, then who
Has upset you? Tell me, do."
And Jack, in bitter tears,
As he kissed his shining Ponyta's ears,
Said: "The king-Oh, have you heard?
Bids me bring Moltres, the Fire Bird!
Oh, whatever shall I do?"
In reply, Epona said: "True,
Your misfortune's great, I know.
But I'll help you in your woe.
You rejected my advice-
Now, you have to pay the price;
For remember, when you found
Moltres' feather on the ground,
I told you, for your own sake,
Not to touch it; in its wake
Many sorrows, many woes
Follow everywhere it goes.
Now, Jack, you see that I,
When I warned you, told no lie.
But, Jack, 'between you and me-
This is easy as can be;
Service lies ahead, my man.
Now, go to the king, Jack,
Say to him in language plain:
Sire, I need the best of grain,
And two troughs; then, if you please
Wine-brought in from overseas;
Tell them that they must make haste
For I have no time to waste-
I'll be off at dawn of day.'"

Brock next plays a "running" motif. "So Jack went straightaway,
Told the king in language plain:
"Sire, I need the best of grain,
And two troughs; then, if you please,
Wine-brought in from overseas;
Tell them, too, they must make haste
For I have no time to waste-
With the early dawn of day
I'll be going on my way."

So the king gave strict commands
To fulfill Jack's demands;
Called Jack a brave young man,
Said: "Arceus speed you" to Jack.

Dawn had scarce begun to peep,
Epona roused Jack from sleep:
"Hey, my lad-stop snoring, do,
Come on! Your duty's calling you!"
So Jack got up and dressed
Warmly for his royal quest;
Took the grain and took the wine,
Tightly tied the troughs with twine,
Put it all into a sack,
Climbed upon Epona's back,
Chewing on a piece of bread,
To the rising sun he sped,
Off to seek that Fire Bird."

He then begins an adventurous melody. "Seven days they rode, I heard;
When the eighth day dawned, they were
In a dark and dense green wood.
Here Epona tossed her head:
"You will see a glade," she said;
"In the middle of this glade
Stands a hill, of silver made.
There it is that every morn
Fire Birds, like Moltres flock before the dawn,
Water from the stream to drink.
We will catch them there, I think."
With these words, she swiftly ran
To the glade, with our hero Jack.
What a meadow met their sight-
Blades of grass, like emeralds bright!
And the breezes, as they blew,
Scattered sparkles through the dew;
Flowers sweet of beauty rare
Blossomed in the meadow there.
In the middle of this glade
Rose a hill, of silver made,
Like an airy tower bright,
With its summit hid from sight.
And the sun, with gentle blaze,
Gilds it with its summer rays
Till the peak in splendor bright
Flashes like a beacon light."

Awed chatter fills the room as the children picture the glade. "Up the hill Epona flew,
And she climbed a mile or two-
Then she stopped and tossed her head,
Flapping both her ears, and said:
"Look-it's getting dark, Jack,
You must watch as best you can;
Mix some wine and grain-enough,
But not more, to fill one trough;
And to hide yourself from sight,
'Neath the other trough sit tight.
Make no sound, and mind you keep
Eyes and ears alert-don't sleep-
You will see, at dawn of day,
Flocks of Fire Birds come this way.
They will peck your grain, and chatter
In their language-but no matter-
Grab the nearest one, Jack,
Hold it firm as fast you can;

When you have that Fire Bird tight,
Call for me with all your might;
I will come without delay."
"Won't they burn my fingers, say?"
To his Ponyta exclaimed Jack
As he spread out his hat.
"Mittens I shall have to wear,
They might be too hot to bear."
Here, from sight Epona swept;
With a grunt, Jack then crept
Underneath a trough, where he
Lay as still as still could be." Brock intones.

He then looks towards the entryway, as if expecting something to appear there. "Suddenly, at dead of night,
All the hill-side blazed with light,
And it seemed as though it were day-
Was a flock of Fire Birds-they
Swooped upon the wine-soaked wheat,
Screamed and hopped on drunken feet.
While Jack, from them well hidden
In his trough, as he was bidden,
Gazed on them in wonder and,
Waving wildly with his hand,
Murmured: "Goodness gracious me!
What strange creatures do I see!
Now, if I could catch them all,

It would make a lovely haul!
Quite a half a hundred there!
They are beauties, I declare!
Feet all red, upon my word!
But their tails-they're just absurd!-
Surely chickens never had
Tails like that, Jack my lad!
Then again-this blinding light!
Father's stove is not so bright!"
Then Jack, his long speech ended
And his heavy trough up-ended,
Grunting softly from the strain,
Crawled until he reached the grain.
Then the nearest bird he grabbed
By its shining tail-and sneezed;"

He then sings to the tune of Epona's Song Epona, Epona, come this way by me,
"Roared our hero most lustily.
Epona soon stood beside him,
Saying: "Good-now quickly hide him
In your sack, and hold on tight,
For we haven't got all night."
But Jack the Fool said: "Oh,
Let me scare them before we go.
Look-they've had so much to eat
That they can't stand on their feet!"
Said Jack, and then and there
With his sack he beat the air.
In a blinding blaze of light
Started up the flock in fright,
Wheeling in a ring of fire,
Soaring to the clouds, and higher.
While Jack, with crazy laughter,
Waved his mittens, running after,
Yelling madly, just as though

He had swallowed soap, you know.
When the birds had gone from view
Our hero Jack, without ado,
Made the royal treasure fast
And set off for home at last."

After the last "traveling" chord fades,Brock goes on "Finally, they reached the court,
And the king cried: "Have you brought
Me Moltres? "-while he eyed
His attendant by his side,
Who (the chamberlain, I mean)
Stood and bit his nails in spleen.
"Yes, of course," replied Jack.
"Then, where is it, my young man?"
"Wait a minute, and you'll see!
Bid them first, Your Majesty,
Shut the chamber casement tight,
Draw the shades, keep out the light."
All the lords-in-waiting ran,
Closed the casement for Jack.
Flinging down his sack with pride,
"Ups-a-daisy, dear," he cried.
Blinded by the flood of light,
They all screened their eyes in fright,
And the king, in accents dire,
Shouted: "Gracious! We're on fire!
Water-call the fire brigade!
What a fire this fool has made!"
Tears a-streaming from his eyes,
Our bird-catcher, laughing, cries:
"No, no-this is not a fire-
It is but your Fire Bird, Sire.
It's a lovely plaything, see,
That I've brought Your Majesty!"
Said the king for all to hear:
"Jack, my friend, I love you, dear,
And, in token of my joy,
Be my Royal Groom, my boy!"

"Uh oh"s go up at this. "Then the former Chief of Ponyta-
(Yes, the chamberlain, of course)
Muttered to himself in hate:
"No, you ill-bred milksop-wait!
You won't always prosper so,
Have such foolish luck-oh no!
I'll get you in trouble, yet!
Yes, I will, my little pet!"

Now, one evening, three weeks later,
Loud the kitchen rang with laughter,
Palace cooks and servants sat
Round the table for a chat,
Passing round the golden mead,
While one "Yeruslan" did read;
"You should see," another said,
"What a lovely book I read-
1 just borrowed it today-
Why, it takes your breath away!
Actually, it's pretty small-
Only has five tales in all,
But I'm sure that you have never
Heard of tales so strange and clever."
In one voice, they cried aloud:
"Tell us, brother, don't be proud."
"Well then, make your choice," said he
"There are five-so let us see-
First, we have The Bibarel Beast',
Then-The Lady from the East';
Next-Arceus help me-here you are-
Yes, the third's about a king;
'Prince Brian' is number four
Then, you know, there's just one more,

Number five-the last of all...
Which I simply can't recall."
"Never mind, then"-"Wait a minute-"
"Has it got a beauty in it?"
"So it has. The fifth, I swear,
Tells about the Princess Rebecca Fair.
So, my friends, just choose and say
Which one shall I read today?"
"Of the Princess Rebecca," they replied,
"We are tired of kings," they cried.
So the servant, then and there,
Started with a solemn air:

"In a distant clime, my brothers,
Flows an ocean, like no others;
And it washes foreign shores,
And it's sailed by pirates more;
From true soil, however,
Noblemen, nor peasants, never
Sailed those dark waters-though
Merchants who have sailed, and know,
Tell about a maiden fair
Living on that ocean there.
She's no common maiden, see-
Daughter to Lugia is she,
And she's sister to Ho'oh;
This fair maid, the stories run,
In a scarlet dress arrayed,
Sails a boat-of gold it's made;
And she wields a silver oar,
Steers that boat from shore to shore;
Harp in her hand, she sings
As she plucks its silver strings." He adds a trilling chord for effect, to some giggles.
At these words, the chamberlain
Bounded up, as if insane;
To the royal chamber sped,
Where he found the king in bed;
Bowed his head, and with a bang
Hit the floor, and whining sang:
'To confess, O Majesty,
I have dared to come to thee!
Be not angry with thy slave-
Suffer me to speak, I crave!"

"Speak up," was the king's reply,
"But be sure you do not lie."
And the crafty chamberlain
Murmured, as he bowed again:
"We sat round the kitchen fire,
Drinking to your health, o Sire;
And we heard a story there-
Of the wondrous Princess Rebecca Fair.
And your groom got up and said,
Swearing by your royal head,
That he knew this birdie-yes-
So he called her, I confess;
And, O Sire, it's also true
That he bragged to catch her, too."
And the chamberlain once more
Banged his head upon the floor.
"Hey! my groom at once to me!"
Roared the king impatiently.
Satisfied, the chamberlain
Raised himself erect again,
While the lords-in-waiting ran
Hastily to fetch Jack.
In his nightshirt, straight from bed,
To the king Jack was led.

"Listen," thus the king began,
"I have been informed, Jack,
That just now, my lad, you said,
Swearing by my royal head,
That, did I but say the word,
You could bring another bird
For your king-you did swear
You could catch the Princess Rebecca Fair
"Arceus save you from every harm,"
Cried the king's groom in alarm.
"Really, only in a dream
Could I say such things, I deem.
But no matter what you say
You will not fool me this way!"
Wrathfully, the king's beard shook:

"What-me argue with you? Look-
If you do not bring to me
That Princess Rebecca, in twenty one days free,
To my royal chamber-now,
By my royal beard, I vow-
Hide yourself where e'er you please
Under ground, or under seas-
I'll have you impaled, my man!
Off, you scum!" In tears, Jack
To the hayloft made his way,
Where holy Epona lay."

Cheers go up over Epona's three notes. "Why, dear Jack, are you so sad?
What's the matter now, my lad?"
Little shining Ponyta inquired;
"Are you sick? or only tired?
What's the trouble? Tell me who
Has upset you? Tell me, do."
And Jack, in bitter tears,
Kissed his little Ponyta's ears
Sobbing: "Oh, Epona dear,
I must bring the Princess Rebecca here.
Oh, whatever shall I do?"
In reply, Epona said: "True
Your misfortune's great, I know
But I'll help you in your woe.
You rejected my advice-
Now, you have to pay the price;
But, Jack, between you and me,
This is easy as can be.
Service lies ahead, my man;
Now, go to the king, Jack,
And say: To catch the Princess Rebecca, Sire,
Two large cloths I will require,
And a tent of gold brocade,
And a dinner-service, made
All of gold, from overseas;
Sweetmeats, too, her taste to please.'"
So Jack with fearless tread
Went back to the king, and said:
"For the Princess Rebecca's capture, Sire,
Two large cloths I will require,
And a tent of gold brocade,
And a dinner-service, made
All of gold, from overseas;
Sweetmeats, too, her taste to please."
"Ah-at last you've found your head,"
Yawned the king, and from his bed
Gave his lords most strict commands
To fulfill Jack's demands.
Called Jack a brave young man,
Said: "Arceus-speed to you, Jack."

Dawn had scarce begun to peep,
Epona roused Jack from sleep:
"Hey, my lad, stop snoring, do,
Come on! Your duty's calling you."
So Jack got up and dressed
Warmly for his royal quest;
Took the tent of gold brocade,
Took the dinner-service, made
All of gold, from overseas,
Sweetmeats, too, her taste to please.
Took the cloths, and everything
Tied up tightly with a string,
Put it all into a sack,
Climbed upon Epona's back,
Chewing on a piece of bread,
To the rising sun he sped,
Off to seek the Princess Rebecca Fair."

Terra sighs dreamily as Brock starts the adventurous melody from before again. "Seven days they rode, I swear;
When the eighth day dawned, they stared
In a dark and dense green wood,
Here Epona stopped, and said
"See-the ocean lies ahead-
There it is, the whole year round,
This Princess Rebecca can be found;
Only twice a year, not more,
Does she spend the day on shore;
And, tomorrow, I've a notion,
We will see her on the ocean."

He then plays some long flowing chords to symbolize Epona running. "Then she galloped fast once more
Till they reached the ocean shore;
In the distance, they could see
One white wave roll languidly.
Then Jack dismounted. "Here,"
Said Epona in his ear,
"Pitch your tent of gold brocade,
Lay the cloth, and service, made
All of gold from overseas,
And the sweets her taste to please.
Hide behind the tent, and see
That you don't act foolishly.
Look there-see, the boat is nearing,
With the Princess Rebecca in it, steering.
She'll walk in the tent-but you

Let her be, whatever you do;
Let her walk inside the tent,
Eat and drink to heart's content.
When you hear her harp play,
Rush inside without delay,
Grab the Princess Rebecca-hold her tight,
Call for me with all your might.
You won't need to call me twice-
I'll be with you in a trice,
And we'll go-but mind you keep
All your wits awake-don't sleep;
For if you but let her go,
You'll be in for lots of woe."
Then she flew off, like the wind,
Leaving our hero Jack behind;
And Jack, as he was told,
Hid behind the tent of gold,
There he pierced the gold brocade,
So that he could watch the maid.

As the noonday sun shone clear,
To the shore the maid drew near;
Harp in her hand, she went
Straight inside the golden tent.
"Hm! So that's the Princess Rebecca Fair,"
Said Jack-"! do declare
All those tales were simply lies
When they praised her to the skies;
She is not the least bit pretty-
Pale and skinny, more's the pity;
And her chicken legs, so thin!
Why-it really is a sin!
Let who wills, take her to wife-
1 would not, to save my life."

Giggles go upas Brock plays an expectant C chord. "Here the Princess Rebecca plucked a string,
And so sweetly did she sing
That Jack, quite unaware,
Drooped his sleepy head right there,
Closed his eyes in slumber deep,
Lulled by her sweet voice to sleep."

With that, he sings in character as Serena There's naught but care on every hand,
In every hour that passes, O!
What signifies the life o' man,
An' 'twere not for the lasses O?

Green grow the rashes O!
Green grow the rashes O!
The sweetest hour that e'er I spent
Were spent among the lasses O!

The children expects Brock to sing and play more of the song, but Brock just continues "Slowly sank the sun from sight.
Suddenly, he woke in fright;
By him, furiously neighing,
Stood Epona and kicked him, saying;
"Sleep, my lad, sleep till tomorrow-
Sleep, and wake to grief and sorrow-
You will be impaled, not I!"
Here Jack began to cry,
Sobbing on Epona's mane,
Saying: "I won't sleep again-
Pardon me this once, please do!"
"Well, Arceus will pardon you,"
Said Epona in reply-
"Maybe all's not lost; we'll try
And perhaps we'll mend things yet-
But-no sleeping-don't forget!
For again, at break of day,
That fair maid will steer this way;
She will go into the tent,
On your honeyed mead intent;
Only-mind what I have said,
Otherwise, you'll lose your head."

Epona disappeared once more,
And Jack searched on the shore
For some flints and rusty nails
From the wrecks of stranded sails,
To arouse him, should once more
He, by chance, begin to snore." Some laughter goes up as Brock plays a few bars of Brahm's Lullaby to mimic Jack falling asleep.

"It was early morning when
Princess Rebecca came again,
Beached her boat once more and sped,
By the fragrant odors led,
To the dainties which were laid
In the tent of gold brocade ...
And again she plucked a string,
And so sweetly did she sing
That Jack once more
Felt as sleepy as before.
"No, you nasty little cheat,"
Growled Jack, upon his feet-
"This time you won't get away
You will not fool me today." .
And, unmoved by her sweet song,
Grabbed her by her tresses long ..."

He then sings Epona, Epona, come this way by me. again.
"In a flash, Epona stood there-
Saying: "Well done, I declare!
Mount me quickly, now, Jack,
Hold her tight as tight you can."

At the palace gates, at last
They arrived; the king ran fast
To the Fair Princess Rebecca and
Led her by her lily hand
'Neath a silken canopy
To his royal throne; then he
Fondly gazing in her eyes
Said, with honeyed voice, and sighs
"Peerless, beautiful princess-
Be my bride! Agree-say yes!
When I first saw you, desire
Burned within my breast like fire!
Oh! Your lovely eyes so bright-
They will haunt me day and night!
They will torture me by day
And at nights, drive sleep away!
Say but one sweet word to me
Everything is ready, see-
And tomorrow, oh my life,
We'll be wedded man and wife,
And live happy as the may."

After a few seconds of silence, Brock reveals Princess Rebecca's reaction. "She, however, turned away
From the king, with scornful eye,
And refused to make reply.
But this only added fire
To his passionate desire-
Kneeling, he her fingers pressed,
Tenderly her hands caressed,
And repeated foolishly:
"Say but one sweet word to me!
Wherein have I grieved you, pray?
Is my love so hateful, say?"
"Lack-a-day, and woe is me,"
Said the Princess Rebecca mournfully-
"If you love me truly, bring
Me in three days' time, my ring
Lying in the ocean bed-
Only then can we be wed."
Eagerly the king roared: "Hey!
Fetch Jack at once, I say!"
And excited, almost ran
Off himself to fetch Jack!

When Jack appeared, the king
Turned to him and murmured: "Ah!
Jack-here's a job for you-
Go down to the ocean blue;
From its bottom, you must bring
Me the Princess Rebecca's signet-ring.
If you execute this task,
I will give you all you ask."
"But I've only just got back,
And my joints are fit to crack;
Now you've found another quest!
Can't I even have a rest?"
"Sirrah! dare you tell me tarry?
Can't you see I want to marry?"
Roared the king, and with a roar
Stamped his foot upon the floor.
"No more arguments, I say-
Now, be off without delay!"
As Jack turned round to go,
The princess called out: "Oh,
Listen-visit, on your way,
My green mansions, and convey
Greetings to my father dear-
Say, his daughter-do you hear-
Asks, why he conceals his rays
These three nights and these three days;
Why my handsome sister shrouds
Her bright face in gloomy clouds,
Never sending rays of love
From the misty heights above?
Don't forget my message, now."
As Jack made his last bow,
"I will not forget," he said,
"If it doesn't slip my head;
But please tell me who's your sister?
Also, tell me who's your father?
I don't know them, I confess."
In reply, the fair princess
Said: 'Lugia-he is my father,
And Ho'oh-she is my sister."
"See you're back in time, my man!"
Called the bride to Jack,
Who retired and made his way
To Epona in the hay." Cheers go up over Epona's motif.

"Why, dear Jack, are you so sad?
What's the matter now, my lad?"
Said Epona with a neigh.
"Help me, Epona, I pray,
For the king now wants to wed
That there skinny girl, he said.
And," Jack said to his mount,
"He must send me off, of course,
On a journey to the sea-
Only gave three days to me-
And some cursed signet-ring
From the sea bed I must bring!

For that skinny Princess Rebecca, I
Have to travel to the sky-
Give her compliments and love
To Ho'oh and Lugia above.
And besides, there are a few
Questions I must ask them, too."
Said Epona: "Between you and me,
This is easy as can be;
Service, brother, lies ahead!
Now, you just go off to bed.
Early in the morning, we
Will be traveling to the sea."
In the morning, fresh from rest,
Our hero, now warmly dressed,
Put three onions in his pack,
Climbed upon Epona's back
And sped on his distant quest..."

He then concludes "But now, my friends, it is time to rest!"

"Aw"s go up, prompting Brock to sweatdrop. "I meant give this story a rest, not you guys!

Relieved laughter and applause goes up as Brock takes a bow and sets the harp aside...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 2b: The Ducklett Hunter)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Interlude Story 2b: The Ducklett Hunter

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 109, story 3)


After setting the harp aside, Brock begins "In a certain village in the mountains lived a young hunter. Because of her skill at the bow, she was named Yumi."

Excited whispers go up, but Brock concedes "As much as I want to do some stage archery in here, there's simply not enough room--so any stage archery will have to be pantomime."

Some "aw"s waft through the room, but Brock just continues "Yumi was such a good archer that she could kill a Ducklett no matter how far away it was. Although she could easily shoot other things, everyone called her "the Ducklett hunter" because her skill with shooting Duckletts."

He intones "But Yumi wasn't satisfied with taking down one Ducklett with one shot--she wanted to try and take down multiple Duckletts with a single arrow."

"Wow"s fill the air as the children forget about not having stage archery. "One cold winter's day, Yumi went into the mountains to hunt, and came upon a frozen pond with hundreds of Duckletts on it." Brock continues. "She eagerly tied all the Duckletts' legs together, in hopes it would allow her to take out multiple Duckletts with a single arrow. But just as she nocked her shot, the sun peeked over the horizon and the ice started melting. This unfroze the Duckletts too, and they all flew off, taking Yumi with them."

Laughter goes up as the children picture Yumi's reaction. "Yumi flew over plains, rivers, forests and valleys, but before long the ropes on the Duckletts legs started to break--and Yumi knew that once all the Duckletts ropes broke, it was a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG way down." Brock reminds the kids, to more laughter.

Brock waits for the uproarious laughter to calm down before continuing "Thankfully, when Yumi eventually fell, she landed on top of the great shrine to Arceus just outside what is now Celadon City, unharmed. As she looked down, she noticed a few people from her hometown in the courtyard--they had been on a great journey to ask Arceus' blessings. The villagers recognized her, got a thick blanket, and told Yumi to jump. Jump Yumi did, but the force of her landing caused her to tunnel deep underground, beneath the shrine."

"So where did she end up?"a boy wonders.

"She followed the tunnels into a brightly lit room, where Kitsune was reading over the requests from the people of the earth." Brock replies. "Seeing Kitsune made Yumi fear she had died, but Kitsune assured her she was very much alive, and gave her a potion of strength to help her find her way back to the world of mortals."

Giggles of anticipation go up as Brock goes on "Yumi retraced her steps back to where she started and drank the potion. But she went so high up, she almost crashed into Suicune. She told Suicune her story, and asked to be sent home. Suicune told Yumi to climb on his back and hang on tight. Suicune ran a long way, and dropped Yumi off by the swamp she had left from earlier that day. But Yumi's strange journey wasn't a total loss--she did get some fish for her trouble."

He concludes "Yumi still continued hunting, but she learned a lesson that day--never want more than you really need."

The teachers murmur in agreement and the children applause as Brock takes a bow....

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 2c: The Brave Shepherd)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;

Interlude Story 2c: The Brave Shepherd

(real tale: The Shepherd and the Dwarves)


"There was once a king who had an old shepherd, and when he succumbed to a terrible disease, another shepherd was needed, for the Mareep could not be left alone." Brock begins. "The king spread the word throughout his realm that he was about to take a new shepherd into his service. Around that time a young lad named Adam arrived in the city. He went to the king and said...."

"I am a shepherd, and as I heard that you were in need of one, I will, if it pleases your majesty, tend your Mareep." he offers in a mimic of Ash.

As himself, he continues "The king was pleased with Adam, and bade him to come again the next morning. Early the next morning when Adam came the king took his hand and led him to the fold. The Mareep appeared very lean, for they had not been to the pasture for a long time, and they had no other fodder. When the king had put Adam in charge of the Mareep he went away. So Adam took his crook and his favorite silver whistle..." Brock pauses to grab his own whistle. "...led the flock out of the fold, and drove them out of the city. When he had left the city gate he thought about how he could find a good pasture for his flock. But it was not easy at that time of year to find one, for it was already late in the fall."

After walking around his circle to mimic traveling, he goes on "After they had traveled a long way, Adam came with his Mareep to a mighty forest, with lofty trees, before which there was a pasture with plenty of flourishing grass. The hungry Mareep soon spread over it, and it tasted sweet, so that they soon grew fat upon it. Well pleased, Adam sat down, took his whistle in his hand and played."

Forest leads the clapping as Brock plays 'The Silver Sword' for effect. "After a while seven fairies--one for each color of the rainbow--came out of the forest." he continues, still fingering the whistle. "Adam did not see them until they were close to him, leaping and dancing about and laughing happily. Though at first very much astonished, he soon took a liking to the fairies, and played for them while they danced."

With that, he starts his rendition of Ash's signature tune--"The Meowth's Call." "The day flew by, and Adam was so happy that he forgot he had not eaten since breakfast." Brock grins.

Nervous giggles go up at this. "As soon as the first star appeared in the darkening sky the fairies vanished from the pasture, and Adam joyously drove his well-fed Mareep homewards. Now, when the king looked at the Mareep and saw how healthy they were, he was beyond delighted." Brock goes on. "But when the flock was counted seven Mareep were missing. Adam was thunderstruck, and had no idea what had become of these seven Mareep. The king assured him that he would forgive him, because the flock was so well fed. But then something strange happened--the Mareep grew skinny again overnight."

He quickly silences the eager debate. "Adam didn't know that they had eaten the grass of a magical pasture, and the effect of such food only lasted until midnight. Not troubling himself about this, Adam drove his Mareep again to the rich pasture, but decided to keep a closer eye on them."

"Oh"s waft through the room as Brock readies the whistle to play again. "The Mareep grazed and Adam played his whistle. Soon the fairies came along, danced, and laughed all day long, just like the day before."
.
He then plays a set of two jigs, to the children's delight. "In the evening when the king counted the flock seven more were missing. This time he could not just let the matter go. As punishment Adam received no pay, and the king threatened to banish him if it happened again. Adam was troubled by this threat, and he began to wonder who could be the thief whether it was a Mightyena or the rainbow fairies."

The children whisper excitedly as Brock prepares to play again. "Nevertheless he drove his flock to the old pasture the next day, for he was so delighted with the dancing fairies. This time the fairies were on the lookout for him, and begged him to play his whistle for them. Adam could not refuse, and the fairies danced to all kinds of jigs, reels, polkas, and other dance tunes."

After playing another set of tunes, Brock goes on "In the evening Adam drove the flock home, but again seven Mareep were missing. Then the king flew into a rage, and said..."

In his standard "king" voice he warns "Take notice, you are hereby dismissed from my service; you are to leave this place tomorrow morning!"

As himself, he continues "The next morning Adam sadly departed from the castle. He came to the pasture, and throwing himself into the grass, exclaimed..."

"What am I to do now, poor as I am, with no service, no bread, winter at the door, and starvation staring me in the face?" he almost screams in character as Adam.

The children laugh at Brock's melodramatic pose. "He burst into tears, and deeply regretted having driven his flock to this enchanted pasture." he explains as he pockets the whistle.

He then looks in his hands, as if something is there. "Suddenly a purple fairy stood before Adam, and said..."

"Calm down, and listen to me, for I am the one who stole twenty one Mareep from you." he explains in mimic of May for the fairy.

"You are the thief?" he gasps as Adam. "Then give them back to me."

He interjects as himself "The fairy, a night fairy named Luna, answered..."

"I don't have the Mareep anymore, but the loss will be repaid to you many times over if you can help me." he explains as Luna. "Long ago I had a different appearance, for then I was queen of the fairies. Once the king of the dragons, Nefarian, set out with all his servants to seek a comfortable dwelling for the winter. He learned of my homeland, the Leafsong Glade, and hurried to our kingdom. The fairies could not resist the dragons, for each of them gave a fairy a deadly bite. Only I and my seven children were spared by the dragons, who took over my palace, and since then have come back every winter. I fled in disguise as a night fairy, giving up the majority of my powers in the process and because I had done many kind things to the people in former times, I was condemned by the dragons, who are the enemies of all, to do them harm. I was forced to steal seven Mareep from you three times over, and I did this at the time when my children were dancing around you, and you were not watching the flock. Forgive me, and know that I did it only for my children's sake, who were very hungry, for Nefarian gives us nothing to eat in the summer—only in winter do we get anything at all. Our duty is to watch on behalf of the dragons, and protect them. But now I beg you, young man, to be our hero! I will handsomely reward you with anything you wish in return for undertaking this great quest."

"I would be honored to help you." he answers as Adam, "but how?"

He motions for an imagined person to follow him. "So off Luna went into the forest, where there was a vast clearing, so vast it could've been a forest unto itself." he narrates as himself. "When they arrived Luna said to Adam..."

"In one of the trees is a black stone; take this out, dig below it, and you will find a golden casket. Inside there is a sword, a white cloth, and a crystal vessel with a salve. Take this casket out, and bring it to me." he instructs as Luna.

He narrates as himself "Adam found the tree with very little trouble, found everything as Luna had said, and brought the casket down."

"Slather your body with the salve in the crystal vessel, so Nefarian's miasma will not harm you; then take the sword and the napkin, hide in the thicket, and wait for Nefarian; for this is the day they come to the glade to sleep over the winter. When all the dragons have arrived, go to the mountain where the dragons enter the glade, pick a flower which grows on the spot, touch the mountain with it and sing the spell 'Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo...'. It will open, and you can go inside. The easiest way to slay Nefarian will be to get on his back, for then he cannot hurt you. Take the sword in your right hand, and with your left spread out the white cloth over the crown Nefarian wears on his head, and take it off. This will awaken Nefarian, and with him the other dragons. They will all rush upon you, but they will not come down from their leader's back. Then he will fly away with you. If at any point you spot water under you, then strike with the crown wrapped up in the cloth. Nefarian will rush into the water, and you will fall on a ship, which will bring you safely to shore. When you are back on land, throw the crown on the ground, and sing this spell: Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Then we will know you are victorious, and bring you back to my palace safely before the crown is consumed in flame, and give you your reward. Now I bid you a hearty farewell; be of good courage, and trust in our help!"

Excited whispers waft through the crowd, and Brock savors the excitement in the air before continuing "With that, Luna vanished. Adam got behind a bush, and rubbed his body with the salve, took the sword in his right hand, the white cloth in the left, and waited for the dragons. Soon they were heard hissing and growling as they flew, Nefarian leading the way. When he came up to the mountain he tore out a certain herb with his mighty claws, touched the mountain with it, and sang something in the draconic tongue, causing the mountain to open He was followed by a long line of serpents, and when the last one had glided into the mountain, the rock closed."

After a few tense seconds, he continues "After a while Adam came out, touched the rock with the enchanted herb, as he had seen the dragons do, sang..."

Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo... he sings as Adam.

"...and the rock opened." he continues as himself. Adam went inside the mountain, and after he had passed through an immense amount of passages and rooms, he came into a hall glittering with gold, and richly set with precious stones. In the middle stood a crystal table, where Nefarian lay curled up in a ball, with the other dragons sleeping around him. Adam carefully stepped over the dragons, without hurting them or alerting them to his presence and, jumping on the table, climbed on Nefarian's back, and took his crown with his hand wrapped in the white cloth. No sooner was this done before Nefarian stretched himself out, and now Adam straddled Nefarian, as if he were going to ride."

The kids roar with laughter at the comical scene. "During their winter sleep the dragons did not stir, and the casual observer would think them merely statues made of stone. But when the king wakes up, he then awakes the others." Brock reminds the kids. "In his fury Nefarian spewed fire from his jaws, and the awakened dragons charged at Adam, and were about to attack him, but Adam cut off every dragon head that got in his way. Then Nefarian took off, broke through the upper part of the mountain, and soared into open air. With Adam on his back, he flew, swift as an arrow, over mountain and valley, forest, and plain. When Adam saw water beneath him, he struck Nefarian with the crown on the head, and Nefarian sank with fearful howling into the sea, never to be seen again."

Cheers go up at Adam's victory. "Just as Luna had said, Adam fell onto a ship, and this brought him to shore." Brock continues. "Once there, he remembered the words of his ally Luna, threw the crown on the ground, and sang...

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... he sings as Adam again.

He continues as himself "The spell caused the crown to explode in a huge fireball, but seconds before the explosion occurred, Adam found himself in Leafsong Glade, and stood before the smoking mountain, among the rejoicing fairies, who greeted him as their hero."

He then concludes "With many thanks Luna--now in her true rainbow glory--handsomely rewarded Adam with gold, jewels, and mystical items from her treasure vault. He became very rich, and bought his land from the king he had formerly served, married one of his daughters, and lived happily for many years, never forgetting his friends the fairies."

"Aw"s and applause fill the room as Brock takes a bow...

 

[LightningTopaz]

Re: Live from the Fireside: Season 8 (Interlude Story 2d: Fruitless Pleas)

@Chimchar98; @Protopost; @Tophat Dragoneye; @Soulmaster;


Interlude Story 2d: Fruitless Pleas

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 110, story 2)

"In a certain village in the mountains lived a rich man." Brock begins. "He had many storehouses, and a thousand smaller houses around his majestic mansion. But as is often the case with rich people, he never seemed to know when he had enough. He wanted mountains in his backyard, rivers rerouted, and even heaven and earth itself, just to name a few of his outrageous requests."

Laughter goes up at this. "Every year during the spring festival, the people would go out into the meadows and pick flowers and bracken--and many said the rich man threw the best party." Brock continues. "One year, a traveler visited the rich man. When he saw all the bracken on the mountain in the backyard, he mused that his host couldn't possibly pick all of it. The rich man took that as a challenge, and made a bet with the traveler--if he could pick all the bracken by sunset, he would receive the traveler's most precious possession."

He adds as as an aside "What exactly this was, I leave for you to decide."

The children enthusiastically shout suggestions, but Brock lifts a hand to quiet the chatter. "The next day, millions of people turned out to pick bracken, but despite all their best efforts, only one side of the mountain was picked clean by sunset. The rich man vowed he would turn back the clock, and pleaded and pleaded for the sun to return."

He grins. "Imagine the people's surprise when the sun rose back into the sky!"

"Whoa"s and "Wow"s race through the room at this. "The people were ordered back to work, and the line of people delivering bracken to the storehouses stretched for several miles. But as the last storehouse was filled, the sun was setting again." Brock intones. "Despite the rich man's pleas, the sun continued to set, and the people watched in amazement as the sky turned red, and all the bracken they had picked returned to the mountain! The storehouses then began to disappear, and by the time the first stars of the night appeared, the rich man and his mansion were gone."

The room is silent as the children contemplate how someone could disappear into thin air. "To this day, no one knows for sure what exactly happened to the rich man, but if you travel to that village and look towards the mountain that once stood by the mansion, you just might hear the rich man pleading for the sun to return." Brock concludes.

"Moral of the story? Be happy with what you have." Terra smiles.

The other children laugh and applaud in agreement. Brock just smiles at Terra, then takes a bow....