More in this series: Prologue, Ch. 1, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8, Ch. 9, Ch. 10, Ch. 11, Ch. 12, Ch. 13, Ch. 14, Ch. 15, Ch. 16, Ch. 17, Ch. 18, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21, Ch.22, Ch. 23
Throughout the North Pole goblins went about business.
They bought things they needed as well as most of what they wished.
They filled their round stomachs with wonderful hot soup.
They went to shops and bakeries to buy cookies and expensive shoes.
Goblins owned businesses, factories and stores,
Trading commodities so they could get more.
Their lives were rich,
Full of everything they could get.
Goblin children played in the fluffy snow parks.
They went to good schools and made snow art.
Goblins took in the crisp air
Through their long noses
Without a so much as a care
In their world of ice roses.
Life was good for the goblins of the Pole.
Not without little bumps in the road,
But those could be overcome with grit and determination
(Which is what they called a loan from their parents and patience).
Goblins were free as could be
To do their own thing
Because they made money on money
With all the resources they need,
“And more stocked away
For a snowy day,”
Which is what they would say
To justify their excessive ways.
Goblins loved to look busy
Piddling around for all to see.
This is not to say
They did nothing all day.
Many would paint, sculpt, and write.
Some tried their hands at this and that all the time.
But mostly goblins tended to their social lives
Making sure their status was perceived as upright.
They ran around all over the place
Frequently visiting the polar banks
To withdraw or exchange,
Deposit and stow away.
One of the most popular pass-times was investment games—
Trading ownerships trying to make exponential gains.
Rarely would goblins go down in the holes
Where elves live. That was for trolls.
Some goblins would visit the work sites they own
Attempting to boost production if revenue seemed slow.
Others left that to the trolls.
If trolls couldn’t fix it, the business was sold,
Or traded to a goblin more creative and bold.
If that didn’t work the business would be closed
To cut losses without a second thought.
There were portfolios to build and power to be bought.
Elves would lose jobs, like it or not.
They should have worked harder to turn a profit for the top.
They would find new ones if they were hard workers.
If they weren’t they would get what they deserved.
Poverty was incentive to work hard and do well.
Elves who worked hard could build wealth.
That’s what the goblins told themselves.
And, that’s easy to say when your wealth builds more wealth.
Most goblins started at a level well beyond the most comfortable elves
Who had to learn early on to fend for themselves.
Rather, they learned to fend for each other
Unlike the goblins constantly stepping over one another.
That was the primary difference.
Elves share and give gifts.
Everything they have was to help and share in wellbeing
While the goblins gathered, hoarded, and planned around money.
Goblins withhold and take
For freedom and security’s sake.
So, as goblins went about their business with smiles on their faces
They mistrusted, misused, and fostered fickle, insecure relationships.
Therefore, when Nicholas and Tomten
Went to visit Moroz the goblin
What they expected
Was to be quickly rejected.
Maybe they’d have to use manipulation
To coerce cooperation.
Still, they had leverage
A loving relationship to hedge
Like a high stakes bet
Without a game or set.
It was high risk, not play.
They had to succeed in this foray.
They were welcomed in the back of Moroz Manor by a young goblin woman.
It was cold, as always, and dark outside as she quickly and quietly ushered them in.
She brought them hot drinks
As her grandfather caused a stink
Hot faced at having this rabble in his house,
“Two elves and a herds person no doubt . . .
“I do not want them here!
I told you that many times my dear,”
Moroz spat in anger.
But his granddaughter did not waver.
Then he saw Nic
And his heart was split.
He felt betrayed,
Affronted, dismayed.
He felt taken advantage of,
Swindled with his compassionate love.
Moroz was important and rich
But deeply sympathetic to Nic,
A good friend to his granddaughter Snihurońka.
Moroz had keys
Of which the elves were in need
To stage a Capitol sit-in.
When Moroz declined
Snihurońka did chide,
“Have some guts and compassion yuh ol’ fart.”
Moroz refused,
But it was soft and subdued.
Snihurońka gently took the keys from his hand.
“You can say that we stole them,”
Advised the wise old Tomten.
Then Nic grabbed the keys and ran.
Tomten looked back…
Snihurońka donned a red hat,
And Moroz, from his chair, rose up.
Snihurońka gently held him back
He had to stay just where he was at
Dumbstruck, silent, unable to alert
Any others. Trolls, or other goblin bankers.
“Level snow
Or high drifts blow,”
Snihurońka spoke in Moroz’s ear.
“Let it snow”
Moroz mouthed, eyes closed in conflicted fear.