Ms. Margo was old.
Older than the village was young.
That meant she knew everything
And everyone who lived in St. Munn.
All her neighbors in town,
They’re called Munnions, you know,
Saw Ms. Margo as a mother
Watching over St. Munn as it grows.
She loved St. Munn,
Every person, pup, and plum.
So when the Snart came to town
She hoped he would join in the fun.
For the Snart was a grouch,
With a snout stuck up high in the air.
The Munnions were afraid of his grunts,
But Ms. Margo wanted to show that she cared.
“Come now, good Snart,
See my precious town,” Ms. Margo said.
As the scary Snart tagged along
His stink and his grunts hung many a head.
“They all look so sad,” grouched the Snart
“Why would anyone want to live here?”
“You know we can fix those frowns,” said Ms. Margo.
“If we just give them a cheer!”
The Snart crossed his short arms
And rolled his green eyes
“This town has nothing to cheer for,” he grumped.
“Besides, I haven’t the time.”
Ms. Margo just grinned
For she wasn’t scared in the least.
She wanted the Snart to see the joy of St. Munn
And the Munnions to see the soul of this beast.
So she led the Snart on
To all her favorite places,
But wherever they went
The people saw the Snart, and the Snart saw their glum faces.
“What a whiny, cross town,” said the Snart,
With a roar that was ever so vile.
“I know something we could try,” said Ms. Margo.
“You could give them a smile.”
“That will never help,” the Snart snickered.
“These people are too far gone.”
“I promise they’re not,” said Ms. Margo.
“Let’s try to sing them a song.”
“What’s the point?” barked the Snart,
As all his hard meanness made him go still.
Ms. Margo just smiled and said,
“Maybe you could give them a sign of good will.”
“Cheers and smiles, songs and signs,”
The Snart scoffed. “That’s all crazy.
Ms. Margo, you treat this town
As if it’s a baby.”
Ms. Margo smiled wide
Wider than ever.
And the Snart was confused
Confused altogether.
“This town is my child,”
Ms. Margo declared.
“Sometimes all people need
Is to know that you care.”
“Give them a cheer or a smile,
A sign, a song.
Give them a good cry, a good cuddle,
A kiss on the eye can’t go wrong.”
The Snart didn’t believe it.
He grimaced and groaned.
But there was a look in Ms. Margo’s eye
That put a stop to his moans.
And what happened next
Was as baffling as it was beautiful.
For Ms. Margo went up to a child
And hugged him with a touch soft as sheep’s wool.
And to another she grinned.
And yet another held her hand.
And when a sad crowd had gathered
She called out the band.
The Snart watched as the town
Switched their frowns upside right.
And he couldn’t help but notice
They no longer had him in their sights.
Once the town was caught up in song,
A most joyful tune,
Ms. Margo brought forth the Snart
And said, “I’d like to introduce you.”
“Dear Munnions, dear friends,
Dear children, my sweets.
Here is someone I’d very much
Like you to meet.”
The Snart stood still as a stone
He didn’t know what to do.
And the longer he stood
The more he felt the mood begin to undo.
Just as sadness started
To turn down the joy
Ms. Margo leaned in and said,
“Don’t worry, my boy.”
“What should I do?” said the Snart.
“The Munnions do not like me.”
“Say your name,” said Ms. Margo.
“Then take a bow and you’ll see.”
The Snart did just that.
Trying to speak soft and not shout.
And at the sound of his voice
The Munnions let their joy out.
Finding him friendly
And a monster no more
The Munnions welcomed him in
And the Snart felt loved to the core.
They celebrated all night
Until the moon went low
When all who were left was the Snart
And Ms. Margo.
“Thank you so much,” said the Snart.
“I finally see the magic of St. Munn.
And I learned a lesson in all this
A very important one.”
“I learned if everyone around you is sad
It is wise to ask two questions and pause
First, should I be sad with them?
And second, could I perhaps be the cause?”
“That’s very wise,” said Ms. Margo
“And there’s one more lesson, my boy.
With the power to bring sadness
Comes even more power to bring joy.”
The Snart felt himself smile
Felt strong, felt many times better.
And forever after, St. Munn
And the Snart lived together.
Share this: