The little drum by John Langley (best black authors .TXT) 📖

THE DRUM

The castle Commander stood by the window

Surveying the old sea harbour below

His main concern was of pirates and thieves

Not conquering lands, or distant armies

Times had long changed; he had family now

Even a grandson to think of somehow

But what could he teach him? What indeed?

Perhaps spirit and tradition is what he needs

So he took a walk with that single thought

To the Castle museum and found what he sought

He returned to his office with a drum in his hand

And placed it by the flags, on a simple stand

It wasn't so big and definitely not new!

Ah, but what stories that drum had lived through


The Commander was writing about the local society

When his grandson walked in very quietly

His eyes were wide as he took in the scene

All regimental stuff, and paintings serene

He noticed the drum on its simple stand

And picked up the sticks, one in each hand

The old man stood up and joined the little boy

"You must understand this is not a toy

This drum stood by men in battle long ago

It needs to be played to understand this so."

The little boy's eyes lit up bright

And banged the drum with all his might

His Grandfather just laughed out with a roar

"It needs feeling, rhythm, not the hammer of Thor!"


The little boy lookad at the worn out drum

The paint quite faded, and scratched up some

"It looks very old, and used a lot!"

"Yes! Four hundred years, and I kid you not!"

"So where has it been?" and the Commander smiled

"Far and wide, and many, many miles

A long time ago, armies moved on their feet

And a little drummer boy would play a beat

The whole regiment would march as one man

Crossing deserts, mountains, and seas where they can

But no matter where they had to sail

The sound of the drum never failed

Sadly, it's not needed for modern days"

But the little boy tapped out a beat straight away


From that moment on the little boy played

In a small room, practising every day

Looking down at the soldiers marching in the square

He matched their steps as they drilled with care

One day he practised with an open window

The soldiers asked if he could join them so

The old Commander was feeling very pleased

The boy played well, and so at ease

Six monts passd and everybody was aware

Of a new drummer boy marching in the square

One day Royalty sailed in from the sea

And everybody on the island came to see

There was the moment for handshakes all around

When a little princess stepped onto the ground


The little boy asked if she was all right

She replied the Sun was very bright

He instantly handed her his sunglasses to wear

"Thankyou! That's so much better, and I'll take care

May I ask your name, the glasses to return?"

"I'm David, the Commander's grandson, here to learn"

"To learn what, exactly?" the question came

"I play the drum to help the army march again!"

The following day they met once more

She wanted to visit the castle, and explore

They played hide and seek throughout the day

With soldiers as bodyguards not far away

The boy would look round, and see them nearby

But the princess had no worries, knowing why


DREAMS OF COURAGE

The little princess stood and stared

As the pirates made their way upstairs

The little drummer boy stood in their way

And said "Nothing will happen to you today"

He began to tap out a steady beat

Which stopped the pirates about to meet

The chief mate whispered in his Captain's ear

"We're not going to fight little children here!

And we cannot stay, for someone would come!"

His Captain agreed, for they would hear the drum

They all turned round and ran down the stairs

As the little princess stood and stared

Her drummer boy had saved the day

And she awoke from her dream to another new day


A SAD DAY

A sad day had come, for two soldiers lay still

Surrounded by the countryside hills

The grandson tugged at the Grandfather standing near

And said "Not everything is here!"

Before anyone could think of any words to say

He dashed off to a car by the roadway

He soon returned carrying the old drum

When the Commander saw what he had done

Tears ran down his face for a proud moment

But could his grandson play a slow lament?

For such an occasion one had to take care

Since all the families were there

But the lead drummer from the military band

Joined the little lad and tapped his hand


He whispered "Follow me with a simple rhythm"

And the little boy stood tall beside him

Together they played a traditional slow beat

And the soldiers were buried in the morning heat

Surrounded by the hills and fields at hand

For the final resting place in their homeland


REUNION

Some years passed before they met again

Standing outside a castle in the pouring rain

She was studying history like most Royals do

While he went the way of music, and successful too

The band had two hits in the record charts

Making them the "hot" ones from the start

But cameras were all over the princess's life

The Press trying to find out what she was like

Who was she with? What did she wear?

She sometimes wondered who really cared

But suddenly, there he was, standing so tall!

While he couldn't say anything at all

What does one say, he cried out inside

But she smiled, "I'm still that little child"


The ice was broken and he laughed loud and true

"You haven't looked at the mirror, have you?

You're at the regimental tattoo tonight?"

"I've no real option there, so you've guessed right"

"Then I'll see you around" he said, walking away

And now she couldn't find any words to say


A regimental tattoo is a strange affair

Full of emotions for those who have "been there"

The princess stood and cheered with the crowd

But her mind was on a single face, not around

Two hours passed and the final goodbye

Silence returned, and then to everyone's surprise

A lone man marched, feeling all their eyes

A single drummer proud, without fear

And the princess realised her drummer boy was here!

With the old regimental drum he started a beat

Then began a display that brought all to their feet


The gates suddenly opened and the regiment marched in

Marched right passed him, and then out again

And as his last roll pounded out

He shouted "For Grandad!" to the roar of the crowd

He turned and waved to her in the Royal seats

With tears in her eyes she jumped to her feet

The future may play whatever game it can can

But she knew at last she had found her man


A BEGINNING

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