Day 105: 20 February 2026

-

 Short Story -- The Ballad of Sir Patty Cakes


Brave Sir Patty Cakes
Accepted his fate
And rode off down the road
Ignoring the load
That his armour added
To his fiery steed.

Arriving at the dragon’s lair
He moved not, not a hair
Looking in the mouth of the cave
He noticed that the banner waved
He dismounted from his horse
Drew his sword and stepped forth.

Inside was dark and gloomy
And would have been quite roomy
If not for the dragon
Much larger than a wagon
That was sleeping: eyes closed
And steam rising from its nostrils.

Sir Patty Cakes lifted his sword
Moving fast, saying not a word
And rushed the might beast
Who could easily make of him a feast
And cried:
For country and for pride!

The dragon’s golden eyes
Flashed open, already wise
To what was taking place.
It stepped aside with grace
Surprising for a creature of this size
And stature.

The dragon lifted a sharp claw
And quickly hit the maw
Of Sir Patty Cakes
Leaving silence in its wake.
The dragon’s golden eyes batted him again
To teach him a lesson.

Sir Patty Cakes was bleeding
But no lesson was he heeding
As he tried to charge again
The dragon’s tail then made him spin
And he was down
Face first in the ground.

The dragon then spoke:
You silly, small folk.
Why do you come to fight?
Compared to me you have no might.
Go home.
Go home.

Sir Patty Cakes stood up
On his head he had a lump.
He looked at the dragon
Who was larger than six wagons.
He weighed his options
And turned to leave the cave.

He mounted his horse
Preparing for the worst
But turned his fate around
As he rode from town to town
Spreading this story:
That he had bravely slayed the dragon.

But the dragon was okay with this
Because it gave him his greatest wish:
A peaceful life
One without strife
From the local villagers
And distance knights.

And thus the tale of Brave Sir Patty Cakes
Is mostly retold with the mistakes
That he himself spread.
And as a result, he is dead.
For another knight wanted the honour
And decided to eliminate his supposed competition.

And the wise dragon
Who didn’t worry about pride,
Lives in quietly
In his abode
Unbothered
And at peace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 21: 28 November 2025

-
Image
  Poem -- Mummy, Let's Play We’ve folded the laundry. The dishes are put away. Little One coos, urging: ‘Come on Mummy! Let’s play!’ He lays on his play mat Toys scattered around. I pick up a ball. It makes a rattling sound. He tries to grab it, hold on And then put it in his mouth; But quickly the ball slips And rolls to the ground. We try again. ‘Somethings take practice,’ I say. And hold out the ball for him again Multiples tries are more than okay. Then he rolls over. It’s tummy time now. He has toys and books Out of reach in front of his brow. He kicks and he stretches Arms waving without care. He lifts his head: Active. Alert. And aware. Finally we pick up one of his favourite books. Reading the pages And under the flaps we look. Our foreheads are touching As we lay side by side. He’s laughing and giggling And I’m filled with pride. What a wonderful little one With which to spend the day. I feel so blessed when he coos: ‘Mummy, let’s play!’
Read more

Day 15: 22 November 2025

-
Short Story -- Monkshood Manor: Part 4   The next morning, after a breakfast of granola, yoghurt and fresh fruit, along with some pensive mulling of the previous night’s letter, Teddy made her way to the main entrance. It really was an impressive space, with its black and white chess board of tiles, dark wood panelling and tapestries, impressive mahogany staircase, and enormous crystal chandelier. Walking closer to one of the tapestries to examine it, Teddy noticed it seemed to be of a hunt with a pack of ferocious looking dogs barking at an enraged boar. The hunters on horseback weren’t far behind, one with a horn leading the charge. There was a house in the background… and it resembled Monkshood Manor. Although it was small enough that Teddy couldn’t be sure. ‘Whenever you’re ready, Miss,’ Mr Drey’s basso voice rang again the silence. ‘How does he do that?’ Teddy wondered silently. Aloud she said, ‘Ready when you are.’ ‘Up the grand staircase,’ Mr Drey said, ‘You can find 40 bedr...
Read more

Day 1: 8 November 2025

-
 Journal/Reflection This afternoon Baby and I spent four hours out and about catching up with a family friend. We had coffee, we walked around, we ate lunch, we even admired some local art and each voted for our favourite piece for a drawing they were holding (I chose one of a puffin)… As an introvert, it’s easy for me to get — dare I say  too  — comfortable in my own space and on my own (or now with my little nuclear family of three). I found this during COVID lockdown as well. But today reminded me that getting out is still possible and can be good, even with Little One! I am a new version of me — being a mother — but I am still me. I read books. I have friends. I love to explore and want to travel. And I will never say no to an emotional support latte.
Read more