Long, long ago, in a far away place
Lived a big scary monster named Applecrumb Face
With eyes like fireballs, hands made of steel
Teeth made of diamonds and an old steering wheel
One night in the forest of this far away place
A fox went to find the famed Applecrumb Face
As light became dark and the moon faded black
Deep in the forest now, fox couldn’t turn back
By the river he walked when he heard something snap
“Come out” yelled the fox, “I got face punch on tap”
And out of the shadows came a dark figure, small
It was a young boy, Tommy, only four foot three tall
Young Tommy said “hey, nice to see you again Fox”
“You gave me a fright!” Fox said “Bless your small cotton socks!”
“Are you here to find the monster, so grim?” said the boy
“I am” said the fox “I’m not scared”, sounding coy
So off went the pair along the dark river’s edge
Two strong, were they now, on this fearsome pledge
When all of a sudden, a shadow emerged
The two halted fast as their blood pressure surged
“Awright?” came a call, “Wot you geezas up to?”
It was the Magpie named Russel, the duo both knew
“One guess” said the fox “why we came to this place”
“I know” said the Magpie “You seek Applecrumb Face”
“Do you know where to find him” said Tommy to the bird
“I do” said the magpie “haven’t been, but I’ve heard”
“Deep in this forest, down by the black pond”
“past the old hollow oak and the rocks just beyond”
“Would you join us?” young Tommy said, “To find such a beast?”
“Of course!” said the magpie, “there’s three of us at least”
“But eyes made of fireballs” he warned with a grin
“And teeth made from diamonds, sure trouble we’re in”
The trio set off at a quick but sure pace
To find the feared creature named Applecrumb Face
In time the stream ended in a pond black as coal
A deep shiver drifted through three a brave soul
Tall and imposing, tangled and broke
Stood the massive ancient form of the old hollow oak
The fox motioned forward, no one would respond
As they stared, frightened stiff, at the rocks just beyond
“Can I help you?” said a voice just up where they gazed
The three trembled with fear, each their eyes over, glazed
“A long journey” the voice said, “That you three have made”
“I won’t hurt you” once more spoke “please, don’t be afraid”
And out of the darkness, a small figure made forth
A cold wind chilled the sweat on their face from the north
His eyes shone like diamonds, so brightly, and kind
A creature so cute, more than any you’d find
“We seek the famed monster” said the magpie to him
“Ah the monster” said the creature “I hear he is grim”
“With eyes like fireballs” said Tommy, “Hands made of steel”
“Teeth made of diamonds, and an old steering wheel”
“A wheel?” said the stranger, tilting his head
“That’s what Gran told me” said Tom, “one story time in bed”
“Well” said the stranger, “I’m not sure of that”
“But I can tell you one thing, he wears a red hat”
“A hat?” returned Fox, “I’ve not heard of this tale?”
The stranger stepped forward, the moonlight shone pale
Through the branches and leaves came soft beams of light
A red hat on his brow, he came into full sight
“So long has it been since I’ve talked to someone”
“No one will come near since these bad tales begun”
“For so many years I yearned company”
“And today I am happy, for I met you brave three”
“You know of the monster?” Young Tom firmly said
“On his home” said the stranger “You currently tread”
“And how do you know that we stand on his place?”
“Because” said the creature, “I’m Applecrumb Face”.
The friends stood aghast as the three words sunk in
“But the legend?” Said fox “and the tales within?”
The stranger laughed hard, so much he did tear
It’s funny how people believe everything they hear
