Dreams

In Batlinsburgh there is a rhyming picture book story with a cute title of “The Grazing Old Goat”. It’s a relatively new foalhood story, but slowly gaining popularity out there. It took a little while for me to track it down, but the author remains a mystery. Maybe it's just a local story from long ago, or brought in from the old mountain cave families. In any event it was too beautiful for me NOT to include.

And yes; I cried too.

There once was a Goat
with a white-speckled coat
and ears too long to stand.

She wandered away
chewing grass and hay
And never had anything planned.

She traveled along,
Never singing a song,
And stopped at a village a while.

She told of her walk,
How she never would balk
When grassways turned into tile.

She regaled of her travels,
How miles unraveled,
Of languages needing to be learned.

And after her stay,
She’d wile away.
And never a bridge had she burned.

One day, a surprise!
She found she’d arrived
Back at her home starting place.

She’d come home full circle
Not planned, but still thankful.
And tears streamed down her old face.

The town had turned out
To welcome and shout.
“You’re home! We’ve everyone missed you!

“Please tell us the tales
Of the streams, plains, and gales.”
And all remained silent and gave heed to.

She told them the stories
Of roads and of glories.
How everyone taught something new.

Her birthday, they decided
Let’s make her delighted.
A party inviting everyone through.

And as the day came
The creatures remained
But the Old Grazing Goat made no sound.

For her home turned up empty,
The search for her lengthy.
But a hoofwritten note there was found!

“I've set out again,
To find some new friends.
So I send you all off with a kiss.

“Remember your names,
Your food, stories, and games.
You're friends now; enjoy that bliss.

“One day I’ll return
And I hope that you’ve learned:
I taught you all from your own lives.

“Help one another
Like sisters and brothers.
Because we are all of the same tribes.”