THE WITCH WHO LAUGHED

Listen closely for my story is old
listen hard for the tale be told
long time on the edge of the fey land
dwelt all manner of creatures gay
elves and pixies
fairies and goblins
wizard and witches
and all so strange

Strange and mysterious
was the land
strange and fantastic
if truth be had
All manners of magic
curse and cure
could be found under
every stair

In that land fantastic
lived a clumsy witch
Butterfingers was her name
it suited her all the same
Not a curse ,nor a cure
Not a bubble, nor a trouble
could she get right though
try she did with all her might

Still a merry lass was she
who laughed to see
her curses sprout wings
and ride across the toadstool ring
Her garden was home to many ideas
A bucket duck and dancing toys

The others laughed to see her fail
and she laughed too with all
never did she curse and shout
for everything to her was a hoot
Merry was she, merry as the birds
that flit across the skies
and laughed till she thought
that she would die

One fine day as the rumours flew
the king and queen with the prince
were passing through
They said the king was sad
They said the queen was sad
For the prince never smiled
nor ever said a word

The learned wizards said
Take him out
Let him roam the world
Let him see life is not for the sad
for there's beauty and laughter everywhere
Let him feel the power of laughter
Of an unfettered pure heart
Let him feel it set his heart and soul free
 And then he will be cured

Then as their chariot came rushing by
who should come but butterfingers passing by
As she saw the prince with a face so sad
She laughed and laughed oh so hard
The chariot stopped at a command
and the prince leaped out for a royal reprimand

The passerby all stood scared
oh what had butterfingers done so bad
Now she's had it, whispered they
She will be in prison till she is grey
The prince looked at her up and down
why was she dressed like a clown
Instead of a hat a huge flower adorned her head
and yet she laughed at the prince like no one dared

Why are you wearing a flower huge
and why does your bucket waddle
What strange being are you
that can laugh without a hurdle
Butterfingers bowed and said
A thousand pardon i beg you prince
but truly it was funny to see you so sad
with the horses  jolting you from side to side

The prince smiled and asked her name
Butterfingers is my claim to fame
The royal parents were shocked to hear
the prince talk and see him smile so clear
Ten thousand questions asked the prince
and Butterfingers answered without a hitch

She took them to her garden dear
and the prince laughed for all to hear
My heart is glad, he said
Nothing pleases me more my lad
said the king and the queen with tears
For we have waited for long your laughter to hear

Butterfinger forever you are welcome to our palace
Never fear for we hold you in our heart
Let it be known far and wide
with glory and deep pride
Butterfinger is the witch that leaves laughter
by the newborn babes and dreams
When anyone with a pure heart laughs
know that butterfingers is near
for laughter has no fear.