The Tale of Chocolate Beard

Upon the seven seas of blue

There is a tale I'll tell. 'Tis true!

A pirate who was greatly feared.

The captain known as Chocolate Beard.

See, when he was just a wee lad, 

He sailed the blue with his dear dad -

A merchant on the Fair Elaine. 

They sailed to India and Spain.

The vessel carried quite the haul

In barrels, boxes, large and small - 

China, ivory, silk and spice,

Tropical fruit, gold, jars and rice. 

For many years the route was fine. 

Then one trader changed Dad's mind.

Something new called "choc -o-late."

He promised Dad would sell a lot. 

Dad agreed and stocked the ship

With boxes. He might sell a bit. 

And home he turned with sweets in store.

If sold, he vowed he'd buy some more.

But on return his son did sneak

Into the cargo hold to peek.

The chocolate box he opened up.

On one small piece he planned to sup.

Just a square. One quite small.

He'd only try it. That was all.

But once he tried the tasty bit,

He fell upon the floor to sit.

So delicate! So rich the flavor!

The tiny piece he tried to savor.

Yet when the sweet in his mouth melted, 

He jumped up, in the box he pelted.

He snatched the chocolates, all the rest - 

And ate each one - making a mess.

Candy boxes strewn 'cross the space.

And brown his fingers and his face.

When on the deck he did appear

With chocolate smeared from ear to ear,

He told his shipmates, "turn around! 

More chocolate must now be found!"

His father gasped. The first mate cried.

The boy just licked his chin and sighed.

"We must turn back. I need some more!

This choc-o-late, I so adore!"

The Fair Elaine Dad sailed back home,

But soon the boy left on his own. 

He commandeered the Valentine,

Becoming captain in short time.

"Yes Chocolate Beard!" his crew would say

'Cross the waters to Bombay.

In search of fine varieties 

Of chocolate for him to please

They'd board each ship that crossed their path

To see is any held at last

The chocolate Beard did so desire.

Then to his cabin he'd retire.

Their gold he plundered, silver too

To use to buy a ton or two

Of milk chocolate or very dark

He's gobble them as if a shark.

Chocolate Beard tried every kind

With toffee, nuts and lemon rind.

And chocolate milk he found quite grand.

The drink of choice he did command.

And then one day the Beard did think

He'd share his favorite treat and drink.

"I'll make my own. My chocolate treats.

And sell them for some coins. How sweet!"

And that is what the Cap' did do - 

In heart-shaped boxes of red hue.

His favorite flavors with insides chewy, 

Chocolate candies. Yummy! Gooey!

In time he no more sailed the seas.

His grandchildren climbed on his knees

With treats in hand, they loved him so.

And chocolate smeared, they were also.

And though his past has passed, perchance

Sometime you might just catch a glance

Of Chocolate Beard in your own mirror.

Eat chocolate and he might appear!