by
Martin Calderwood
As
Reported by Gruff the Troll
“Twenty-five
‘K’–Don’t seem all that far.”
Said
Skeek as he strapped on his skies.
“It’s
mostly downhill ‘cept a couple of ‘K’,
To
me this ol’ race is a breeze.”
And
there’s plenty of ice on which I can skate.”
Boasted
Kosz speaking out with a grin.
“And
I’ll run up the Hill and then over the top
This
race I will easily win.”
Not
to be topped old Gruff looked down the path.
“It
is me who will top you this day.
My
kicksled knows me and it’s ways I know well
So
look out and get out of my way.”
T’was
the Great Yule Day Race, it happened each year,
in
the depths of the Wintery cold.
And
the racers who came were the best of the best.
Being
true trolls both fearless and bold.
And
from near and from far Trolls all gathered around
This
wondrous event to attend.
They
would stomp, they would yell as their heroes rushed on by
Then
they’d feast at the races far end.
Each
year was a new course as tough as could be
For
the Victor must earn his great win.
The
racers knew little of what was far up ahead
They
were excited hot to begin.
The
signal was given, the brave trolls took up their marks
Each
knowing they were already winners.
But
the victor got spoils and a year’s bragging rights
And
lots of fine treats and fine dinners.
Ahead
stood young Mumfy, a flag raised high overhead,
waiting
to drop it, a grin on his face.
And
then down came the pennant with a swoop and a swish.
And
thus it began, the year’s ‘greatest race.’
With
a kick and a push Gruff got off to a start.
His
kicksled with bear grease was ‘waxed’
Behind
him came Kosz and then lastly came Skeek
Perhaps
they’d been a bit too relaxed.
They
sprinted at first neck and neck for three ‘K’
Sled,
skies and skates going fast.
And
‘round them all nature watched holding it’s breath
To
see which of the three would outlast.
O’er
bumps and high moguls they flew on in the air
‘Tween
rocks and more rocks they did crash.
The
sled took a beating and a ski it got split
But
the racers pushed on in a flash.
Now
Skeek took the lead followed closely by Gruff
While
the skater, big Kosz, lagged a bit.
Up
and down the long course watchers clapped and some yelled
“Hurry
up!” “Get a goin’!” “Don’t quit!”
Ahead
came ‘THE HILL’ much more steep than they thought.
Kosz
leaped ahead sure on his skates.
Running,
climbing and scrambling, he fought up t’ward the top,
So
swiftly he tempted ‘The Fates’.
With
a crack and a scrape his right skate caught an edge
And
he fell crashing down to the ground.
The
faster than fast he bowled down the steep hill
Into
Skeek and then Gruff with a bound.
With
cries of alarm watchers scattered and ran
While
others leaped back in great fright.
The
racers rolled by them in a tangle of bodies
In
a helpless and terrible plight.
At
the bottom they halted, all were battered and mashed
But
not one was really that bad.
But
the skates, skies and sled all were splintered and bent
not
a workable piece to be had.
Around
them fell silence, some rushed up to give help
For
some watchers expected a fight
But
instead came a rumble from the pile on the ground
That
put all of their worries to flight.
And
roars of Troll laughter shook the world all around,
As
the competitors helped each to their feet.
The
crowd all relaxed and some started to smile
Then
Gruff shouted out, “Let’s go eat!”
With
heart felt delight the Trolls started to move
Their
mind’s understanding complete.
For
win, loose or draw matters not in the end
So
long as you nobly compete!
And
like all things in Trolldom, it is really quite clear,
Though
Yule time comes just once a year
That
the best things in life are with your family and friends
and
the Spirit of Yule all through the year!
Blessed
Yule to each of you and yours. It
is the hope of each of us
here
at Guardian Troll Headquarters
that
you hold tight to your family and friends,
say
a prayer for the world and all it’s wonderful beings,
and hold close this Seasons Sacred Meaning all through the year!