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
There’s a strikingly full account
Of a speech which was all about
The ideals which guided the elves
To take back power for themselves.
“We’ve had enough,”
Cried the elves huddled under the caribou.
They gathered outside a certain herds person igloo.
“We’re done putting up with this stuff,”
The elves stated.
“We’ve planned, and worked, and waited, and waited.”
“It takes all of us together,”
Said a herds person on a big bear.
“Our power is in numbers,” he spoke calmly.
“We are not creatures of force or brutality.
“We will make our stands.
We will bring demands.
“We will stop production,
End frivolous consumption.
“We will not cooperate,
Nor will we corroborate
“With the goblins’ greed
Or the trolls' misdeeds.
“Our work is our own
To share and bestow.
“For too long it has been stolen.
The goblins and trolls are beholden
“To us, for their comfort and wealth.
For their nutrition and health.
“We endlessly produce
While they continually abuse.
“We’re left to depend on them for wages.
Maligned when asking for changes.
“But without us they have nothing.
Without us they are nothing!
“So, we will stop and rest.
Make no move at their behest.
“To show that we are everything,
All they want and need.
“They can join us or leave
Because we have no place for their greed.
“They can join us or leave
Because we live in equality.
“They can join us or leave
Because we are creatures of generosity.
“But it takes us all together,
Every elf, herds person, deer, and bear.
“No one left out.
No one backs down.
“The goblins will retaliate
To maintain their current state.
“They’ll send the trolls after us
To beat us and batter us.
“But we will out last and take control.
We will be the masters of our North Pole.
“So talk to your neighbors.
Increase the numbers.
“Everyone on your shift must sign the paper.
Every elf in the deepest bubble and person above who herds.
“Keep track of each other.
Care for one another.
“Our work is ours.
Our labor is ours.
Our time is ours.
Our lives are ours.
“We do not hoard or withhold.
We share for the sake of the whole.
“The goblins can join us, as can the trolls.
They can join us or they can leave the North Pole.”
The elves whooped in ascent to the speaker’s points.
Herds people grunted in affirmation and fervent joy.
At the end, every bear, deer, human and elf stomped the ice to rejoice.
Step one had begun.
They would spread the word to everyone.
But it was still a matter of time before all was done.
The elves had had enough.
But it would be extremely tough
To do what needed to be done
So the North Pole might be won.
Together the herds people and elves
Would have to position themselves
In solidarity as a resistance, as rebels.
But how?
Well now . . .
Let me introduce
An elf who long refused,
Who was in no hurry
To join the growing flurry.
Idly’s her name,
And she preferred not to make waves
Or anything as little
As a snot drip’s ripple.
She wasn’t content
But she was scared of the movement.
Her fear made her more than hesitant.
She was downright obstinate.
But, here, let me tell you.
Her story brings things into view.