Tess and the Priceless Treasure Poem

One morning, Tess from Little Dell

Was washing clothes beside the well,

When Anne and Jane and Cecily

Ran towards her full of glee.

Look upon our golden rings!

See our shiny, handsome things.

The market stalls are filled with gold,

Hurry, before the rest is sold!

Tess, excited, ran on down,

To see the fair from out of town.

Travelers advertised their wares-

Their shining, sparkling traps and snares.

Some were pearl (so overrated),

Others gold (most likely plated).

Yet they did not catch her eye,

So with a shrug she passed on by.

Later that day upon the track,

A beggar with a crooked back

Was calling out for drinking water

And some bread to feed her daughter.

Tess was wary but also kind

And gave to her what she could find.

The beggar smiled at Tess' charm

And placed a trinket in her palm.

Tess took the gift and journeyed on

Until the day was almost done,

Then came across her friends from Dell

Fetching water from the well.

Said one, "Let's see the ring you've bought!",

Said Tess, "I chose the better sort,

For though it only cost some bread,

It's worth more than your gems", she said.

She showed them all the tarnished ring,

It looked a poor and worthless thing-

The metal old and tinged with rust,

The stone was faded, caked in dust.

They all laughed at Tess' treasure,

They would never know her pleasure.

She wiped it clean and when she'd done

It shone like sapphire in the sun.

~Written 03/01/2007