A Grandfather of Tales

~The book in it's thick leather bindings appears rather new, though one who opens it would see that the writing and the style must be age-old. At the first page have been printed the names of the various previous owners, all of the above overlined, but the bottom-most one reads in clear elven writing: "Elveder Ilivatar."~

And so did the Grandfather speak, to the circle of Offspringe, gathered around Him:

"Now about to tell you a tale I am, so paye Heed and open your Ears, for what I tell you now you must Pass On to the newborn of Tomorrow."

"The story was told to me by mine Grandfather, and onto Him by his Ancestorre, and so Forth since anyone can remember. It be a tale Short in it's Forme, but indeede it contains the Seed of Wisdomme." So doth the Grandfather begin his Tale.

A Young Man, not quite seventeen Summers Olde, set out from his home one cold Winter Morning. The Lord Winter hath been harsh on the people of Nodosia, and so Indeede did the foul wolves Preye on the common Man. The Sheepe and Herde hath been under heavy Strain to gnawe their Livinge out of the Froste Ground. The Younglinge forth came to a Crossinge in the Road, on his Waye to the next Town yonder, in his Minde some Grain to buye. In the Crossinge he did meet a Man of Elder Years as was himself, and so did the Man speaketh unto Him:

"Wise would such like a Younge Man be, his Goode Fortune to seeke, not Graine to carry and Colde Aire to breathe."

So speechless was our Younge Man, that his empty Sacke dropped onto the Grounde. Then proceedeth to that Man, whom unto him a Spade gaveth. Then tolde unto Him to six-feete under Digge where doth the roads Crosse, yet, be warned, not One Sound to make! Our Younge Man forth did it so; before Not Too Longe did his Spade onto a Cheste clickte, and, alas, so did he cry out to all and none; "Praise Be!" Beforre he couldde his Eyes Blincke, so did he down into Earth alonge with his Fortune sincke. Never did he Grain buye anymore, nor was it Heard of Him again.