The Night Before Life Day
‘Twas the night before Life Day, when all through the tree,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a kroyie.
The Wook hoods were hung by the doorway with care,
In hopes Father Wroshyr soon would be there.
The Wooklings were nestled all snug in their beds,
Visions of wasaka pie danced in their heads.
And me and my mate staring up at the stars,
Had just settled down for a mug of spiced jaar,
When out on the branch there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the face of the new-fallen leaves,
Gave the luster of mid-day to the bark of the trees.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a great walking tree – Father Wroshyr was here.
With a magical bantha all loaded with packs,
And a flock of can-cells that carried his sacks,
More rapid than flarions his dragon flies came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dashrrrr! now, Dancrrrr! now, Prancrrrr and Vixnnnn!
On, Kkomett! on Kkuppid! on, Dondrrrr and Bllitznnnn!
To the top of the platform and then to the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild winds fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the tree-top the can-cells they flew,
With the sacks full of toys, and Father Wroshyr, too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard such a thing,
The flipping and flapping of each mighty wing.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the trunk Father Wroshyr came with a bound.
He was dressed all in leaves, from his foot to his crown,
And his clothes were like Wroshyr bark, textured and brown;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His nose was aglow, like a giant vineberry!
The bark of his mouth was drawn as he grinned,
And the leaves on his chin moved about in the wind;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And smoke circled his head like a great Wroshyr wreath;
He had a broad face and a big rounded belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old Tree,
And I laughed when I saw him, I’m sure you’d agree!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the Wook hoods; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, to the tree-top he rose.
He sprang to his bantha and then gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he flew out of sight,
"Happy Life Day to all, and to all a good-night."