The Piper and The Bard

  Once Upon a Time when the world was young.
There was a Quiet and Peaceful village near the forest. In that Village lived Two young boys, a Bard and a Piper.

The Bard was of Noble Blood and was Draped in the Finest Silk Known to man. He was a Tall Lad of 17, with long curly locks, fair skin, and eyes as blue as the skies. His face was Slim and his nose was trimmed. His hands and fingers looked very groomed and delicate. He possessed a voice that would make the gods swoon, but he was arrogant and seemed to care about little but himself.

The Piper was born of a farmer for a father and a housemaid for a mother. He was a stout boy of 16. His skin was very tan like. His hair was brunette and Scraggly. His eyes as Brown as Dirt. while he was not very tall, he had a very muscular build from working with his father at the farm. his face was round and his nose was round, like a button. His hands were rough and smooth at the same time, and his fingers were long. He was draped in Common Cloths. He was Talented in using many Instruments, but he was poor and could not afford the Proper Music Lessons to hone such Talents.

The Piper and The Bard also knew each other since Childhood. The Bard always thought little of The Poor Piper, though he was Secretly envied The Piper's Abilities with the Instruments. "Hmph! Who does this little whelp think he is!? Smiling at people and being nice! Doesn't he know that you don't get far by being nice!?" The Bard always Chortled to himself. The Piper was always smiling at people, nodding his head, and overall, being polite overall. The Townspeople always looked down upon The Piper, and Always idolized The Bard.

Everyday, the villagers whispers:
"Oh! Look at that poor child, dressed in drabs! I feel sorry for him, always smiling,That Piper. Though he is very talented with the use of many instruments"

"Ah, and there is the Bard, and he is as Lavish as ever! Although he is somewhat lacking in humility, he makes up for it with his wonderful voice!"

It was always the same thing. While The Bard receives Praises and awe's, The Piper was Pitied.

One day, A creature known as The She-Beast Invaded the quiet Village. She was a Wretched Gal with Scraggly hair, Large round nose filled with Spots, and fangs as sharp as blades. Her eyes were Gold and irises slit, with Eyebrows that look like a Rainforest, yet her eyes also carry a bit of Sorrow within them.
She had Hands and Feet of a Giant and Claws that can cut a Tree down in one fell swoop.

The Villagers didn't know what to do, They were afraid the She-Beast would eat them. Suddenly The Piper came up with an Idea. "U-Um. w-what about a C-concert to S-s-soothe the B-b-b-beast? S-s-s-s-surely even a Creature such as she can be Tamed with Melody." He stammered in his soft voice. The Bard Agreed on the Piper's Idea "Yes. My friend is correct. A concert will be the perfect solution for this dreadful problem." However The Bard had other plans. "This concert is the perfect opportunity to prove once and for all my musical prowess exceeds far beyond the musical skills of the Piper's. It will also win me the hearts of the people if I slay the She-Beast." The Bard Chortled to himself. The Piper added. "It would be best if we hold the concert near where the She-Beast dwells. T-t-t-that way the village can be safe from her wrath." The villagers agreed with the idea, while The Bard silently snarled at the thought of being dragged from his home and forced to serenade for some creature in HER OWN domain where he and The Piper can easily be eaten and no one will know. "Bah! whatever! the quicker we do this, the better! It's a shame that no one will be there to witness my achievement." The Bard Mumbled to himself.

And So The Bard and The Piper ventured to The She-Beast's Lair. The journey there was not a pleasant one. They trenched through a forest darker than night itself, and thicker than the deepest fog. After the forest, they ventured through a river where water was rotten and the smell the foulest of stenches. Finally, exhausted and waning in spirit, the boys have reached the She-Beast's lair. Her lair was a horrid sight, a cave surrounded by dead trees and rotted leaves. One could hear the echoes of the dead crying through the area. The cave itself let off a stench that would wake the dead. The surrounding trees let out an even less pleasant aroma.

The Bard let out a small whimper. "A-a-are you certain we should hold a concert in such a horrid place? B-b-bad enough my cape is drenched in filth" The Noble complained to the Farmer boy. The Piper just smiled and replied, "The sooner we complete our mission, the sooner we can return home. And the sooner we can return home, the sooner you can have the maids clean your garments." The Bard chuckled at the last comment. If there was one thing he liked about the Piper, it was his sense of humor. "Haha! You are right, my friend. Let us finish this quest so we can both go home together." said the Bard.

Just then, The She-Beast Crawled out of her cave and bellowed with a voice that could pierce the skies. "WHO DARES ENTER MY DOMAIN AND DISTURBS MY SLUMBER!?" Her roar made the boys jump backwards in fear. Never had the boys seen something so ferocious. The Piper was the first to speak. "I am the Piper, and This is my acquaintance, the Bard. We are but humble musicians traveling around the lands playing music for the people. We merely heard of a creature who has Never heard music before" The Piper Said in a Nonchalant Manner. Even The Bard was surprised at his answer.

Intrigued, The She Beast's Lips curled to a haunting grin, and she bellowed "HMMM INTERESTING! YOU TWO HAVE ONE SONG EACH TO PERFORM FOR ME! YOU EACH HAVE ONE SHOT, IF YOU SUCCEED, I WILL GRANT YOU ONE WISH! HOWEVER, IF YOU TRY MY PATIENCE, YOU WILL BECOME MY MEAL, IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!?" Her Howling Voice Made The Boys jump back in Fear. And the Piper Swore he could've heard a woman's shriek coming from the Bard. He does not blame him, as the She Beast is a ferocious Creature.

The Bard Volunteered to go first. "I shall begin! the Piper, however good he is, will not be needed I am sure." The Piper rolled his eyes at the Bard's comment. It annoyed him that the Bard would sneak in snarky remarks at the Piper's expense. "VERY WELL! BUT REMEMBER! IF I DON'T LIKE IT, YOU WILL BE MY NEXT SUPPER! UNDERSTAND!?" The She Beast Bellowed. The Bard winced a little at the sound of her voice. "Oh! Umm very well! I shall begin!" The Bard spoke in a near high pitched squeal. The Piper couldn't help but hold a giggle to how his friend has been acting..

And Thus, The Bard began his performance. This is it. he thought If I can slay this Horrid Creature, I will be the hero of the village, nay. The entire land! With a hearty laugh he began to strum his sitar, much to both the She-Beast and The Piper's annoyance.

The Bard then began to hum to the melody of his tune. At first it seems that the She-Beast was enjoying the tune. The Piper was humming along as well. He is an astonishing singer. The Piper thought. The Bard continued to Strum his sitar and hum his melody. It was a wonderful sound yet there was a hint of arrogance hidden within the playing. The She-Beast went from merely nodding in amusement to clapping laughing aloud in full on enjoyment. The ground would shake whenever she clapped and the skies would tremble from her laughter.

Just as it seems victory is at hand, The Bard went from humming to forming words with a mischievous looking grin crawling on his lips. It was that moment when The Piper realized the Malicious intent in The Bard's eyes. "Oh no..." The Piper muttered in annoyance.

With one last strum on his sitar, The Bard sang these Lyrics aloud.

"Hark! Be wary, for the She Beast Arrives!
Hide your sons and daughters and husbands and wives!
For she who is horrid and has a breath that is foul!
A mean old Gal who has a terrifying scowl!
Run! Run! For the She beast arrived!
If she has you on her sight then it is your flesh she will dine!"

After several terrifyingly agonizing seconds, The Piper can do nothing but bury is face into his palm. "What were you thinking!?" The Piper hissed in an aggressive whisper. "Why would you provoke the She Beast!?" The Bard merely scoffed. "I merely intend to anger the beast! Wait until she charges me in a blind rage, and then..." The Bard then brandishes a dagger as draped in gold as he. Then with cold eyes, The Bard finished "...End her."

The Piper was horrified. He knew his friend lacked humility, but to think to kill the She Beast!? "My friend, you don't think to..." Before The Piper can finish his sentence, The deafening roars of The She-Beast caught the boys attention. The She-Beast then dashed towards the two at blinding speed. Before The Bard could react, The She-Beast slashed at The Bard's chest. The noble boy barely avoided the attack.

The bard stared at his ripped shirt, shaken and a bit horrified, but more angrier than before. He hissed at The She-Beast "Come monster! Come face your destiny! I shall return to the village with your head and I will claim victory!" The She Beast howled in anger at his arrogance and treachery. "YOU DARE BRAG TO BRING MY HEAD AS A TROPHY!? YOU DARE CALL ME A MONSTER!? I HAVE GIVEN YOU A CHANCE TO ENTERTAIN ME, BOY, BUT NO LONGER! YOU AND YOUR FRIEND WILL NOW BE MY DINNER!"

Before the two can lunge at each other, they heard a faint sound of a soothing yet sorrowful melody. Both turned to see the Piper has begun playing the recorder. The sound was relaxing to the She-Beast's ears and she began to sit down and became entranced with the sound. Just as he was playing, The Piper snuck around until he was next to The Bard.

"Cheers, old friend!" The Bard whispered. "Now can go in for the ki-" Before the Noble Boy can finish his sentence, The farmer's son stepped on his foot and giving his friend a warning glare, and The Bard instantly knew when to step down and humble himself. The Piper continued to play his recorder, The She-Beast then began to shed tears from the beautiful melody. Her tears produced puddles the size of tree stumps it looked as if she would drown herself, The Bard and The Piper from crying so much. Then, as quickly as he began, The Piper has finished.

And, for the first time, The She Beast laughed in complete, genuine joy. Her laughter could be heard across the land. After what seemed like an eternity, The She Beast smiled at The Piper. "VERT GOOD JOB, BOY! YOU HAVE MADE ME CRY AND THEN LAUGH. I SHALL SPARE YOU, AND DESPITE YOUR FRIEND'S ARROGANCE, I SHALL SPARE HIM AS WELL." The She-Beast says as she glares at The Bard. She then continued this time in a surprisingly soft voice "I shall also reward you with the riches I have procured over the years. Anything you want, boy! So please tell my your reward."
The Piper couldn't believe it. He entertained the She-Beast enough for her to want to reward him. The Bard begrudgingly congratulated the farmer boy. "Well old friend, you can have anything you want. Gold, Riches. You could have the fame, Women will be cling to you in droves." And the The Noble boy smiled softly since what seemed like a lifetime ago. "But I know what you will really ask for. I know you too well, friend."
The Piper then took a deep breath, smiled and said: "I merely wish for you to leave the village alone. I also..." The Piper hesitated for a while, and then spoke: "I wish to be your friend."

The She-Beast was stunned. No one has ever asked her to be a friend. Ever since she was born, people were afraid of her for her appearance. Even her parents ran away from her in terror eventually. She was alone. And in that loneliness, a cold, bitterness was born. "IF YOU INSIST ON SEEING A MONSTER IN ME, BY DAMNATION, A MONSTER I SHALL BECOME!"

Since then, the She-Beast began terrorizing the village and unfortunate travelers, alike. They now knew she was not to be trifled with, yes, but in turn, she had no friends. And here comes this boy. This... Piper. A scrappily dressed, yet stout young man, who had to be no older than 16, is asking for her friendship.

The She-Beast hesitated. For the first time since she was little, she was scared. Scared of the uncertainty faced before her. But this kind boy, with his button nose, reached out to The She-Beast and said "Please. It seems that you need a friend. That is correct right? No one gave you chance because of your looks, and it pains you doesn't it?" The Piper smiled sadly. "I, too, have misjudged you for your appearance as well. And for that, I apologize."

The Bard can only stare in dumbfounded amusement. Here is this poor farm boy, asking this monstrous gal to befriend him? "Well you are full of surprises my friend." The Bard Smiled. The Piper then glares at the Noble boy. "I believe my friend has something to say as well. WELL, BARD?" The Piper snarled through a forced smile.

"Fine! Fine! I apologize as well my lady." The Bard says while bowing. The She-Beast then says with a genuine smile "VERY WELL! YOUR TOWN WILL BE LEFT ALONE, AND WE SHALL BE FRIENDS! MY ONLY REQUEST IS FOR YOU TWO TO COME AND PLAY FOR ME ONCE IN AWHILE." The two boys nod in agreement and left back to their village, waving goodbye to their new friend.

"Do you truly believe The She Beast will leave our Village alone?" The Bard asks in curiosity. "That depends. Will you continue to incur her wrath by teasing her?" The Piper jokes with a hint of Venom. The Bard can only sheepishly nod in shame. He has witnessed The Piper's bravery and sympathy. Truly, the farm boy was the better of the two, the noble boy thought. "Well my friend. It is time to go home." The Bard says with a smile. "Yes Let's go home." Replied the Piper with a smile of his own.

In the coming years, The Piper, The Bard and The She Beast has kept their respective promises. The She Beast has not only left the Village alone, but has become it's protector of sorts, keeping invaders at bay. The Piper and The Bard, in return has held concerts for her. Legend of how The Piper and The Bard has been recorded from generations to generations. The Legend of how two friends went on a perilous journey and tamed The She Beast and acquired a new Guardian for their Village.

The End

By: Johnathan David Paddington