Story 136: Sir Cater of Pillar, Knight Errant

(An ode to the brave caterpillar who landed and held onto a speeding car)

Oh, I sing a tale

Of a knight in a dale

A noble warrior was he

His heart, it was true

And his skin, green and blue,

And his legs numbered 13 and three,

And three,

And his legs numbered 13 and three.

Sir Cater was his name

And great was his fame

In the land of Pillar and beyond.

One day at King’s behest

He embarked upon a quest

To cross the Ocean of Pond,

Of Pond,

To cross the Ocean of Pond.

Sir Cater, the Brave

Sir Cater, the Strong

Sir Cater, how art thou best.

You fight for your neighbor

And you fight for the stranger

Until that day you take your final rest.

His boat was a mighty frond

As he traversed the Ocean of Pond

To reach the Island Where Youth Is For Aye.

He braved winds, he braved waves,

He braved beasts, he braved knaves,

He nearly sank, but made the shore by and by,

By and by,

He nearly sank, but made the shore by and by.

Sir Cater, the Wise

Sir Cater, the Just

Sir Cater, you are almost there.

Your journey was long

But if you only remain strong

Your reward will have no compare.

He mounted the shore

And began to explore

The Island Where Youth Is For Aye.

He knew not why he had been sent

Only that King was insistent

That he discover on his own the reason why,

The reason why,

That he discover on his own the reason why.

He realized at the last

That his final task

Was to prepare for transformation

Into a Winged Knight

One who would take flight

As Defender of the Realm and of the Nation,

Of the Nation,

As Defender of the Realm and of the Nation.

He ascended The Tree

And dangled from its knee

And cocooned himself from rain and from gust

And he changed, and he grew,

Great things were in store, he knew,

As he slept the sleep of the just,

Of the just,

As he slept the sleep of the just.

Sir Cater of Pillar

Your journey has ended

Your life is no longer the same

Your future is bright

You emerge a new knight

And Sir Butter of Fly is your name.