The Jester and the Thief

There was once a jester
whose name was Chester
that was surrounded by fortune and fame

He wore a thick purple robe
and trotted the globe
spreading his talent and name

He entertained peasants and entertained kings
he told funny jokes and did funny things
but one day his luck had run out

He bumped into Chief
the infamous thief
and of his fate, he had no doubt

You see Chief had gang
that pillaged and sang
but neither fortune nor fame had they won

He said I'll make you a deal
choose fortune or fame
but of the two you may only choose one

If you choose fortune I shall cut off your tongue
and pleasure you will no longer bring
you'll tell no more jokes
entertain no more folks
but of my fame millions will sing

but if you choose fame I'll steal all your gold
take all your clothing and leave you out cold
then I will live like a king

The choice is yours my friend
bring your trade to an end
and escape with your winnings and spoils

or abandon your possessions
deny your obsessions
and return to your labor and toils

Chester was mad
of all that he had
now he would only have half

Which did he want
possessions to flaunt
or to make those around him laugh

Who am I Chester proclaimed
to choose famed or shamed
rich or poor I think not

He pulled out his blade
but with his life he paid
because both fortune and fame he sought

Often in life you must make a choice
like our friend Chester, comfort or voice
While some will be big, others will surely be small

The choices will vary
and your decisions you'll carry
but I tell you, you can't have it all