Melvyn the Bored - Colour - for children and not so young

In the land of the north wind, and long snow filled gloom,

when the sun rises and sets each side of noon.

Around the fires of the long houses they sit and tell tales.

They retell Sagas and stories of long boats and sails

of times long gone when spirits took on solid form

in the grand hall of Valhalla all cosy and warm.

Of Odin, his throne and of the hammer of Thor

Of Tyr’s sword and armour the great god of war

When Huginn and Muninn Odin’s great ravens soared

And the naughty step for Melvyn the bored.

In the school for the gods where knowledge was told

Apprentices learnt from magicians so old

That spoke in soft words with monotonous drone

The pupils would nod off and distraction were prone

In reception class seven poor Melvyn stayed

For in none of the exams a good score he made

So in the same class he is destined to remain

Listening to the same lessons again and again

As the teacher talked on in his most boring style

Melvyn in a miasma slipped out for a while

.

Huginn and Muninn the messenger of Odin followed on to see

what trouble Melvyn would get up to sat by the sea.

They should of told Odin of his escape from school

and breaking of the educational rule

but Melvyn was a kindly child that stroked Huginn’s rough cheek

and smoothed his course feathers too far from his beak

for Huginn was such a scruffy bird.

And being smart was completely absurd

Muninn also thought kindly of Melvyn could see nothing wrong

for he loved to listen to Muninn’s rough songs

and loved the sound of his raucous shrill voice

he was their pet not wisest of choice

The apprentice god Melvyn the bored

Hid in the cave while ravens soared

Looked on the world of black and white

Only colours made for day and night

In those bleak days of old there was no colour it had not been made 

everything was either black white or grey of some shade.

All were happy with that so there was no need to change anything, EVER

and no one was to change it, never, never, never

All were happy except one that was bored with day and night

Bored with grey and all things black and white

Melvyn sat head in his hands looking at the sea

bored so bored as bored can be

When Huginn enquired if all was well

or was there something to Odin that he should tell.
 No I’m just bored I don’t know what to do

I want to be famous like Muninn and you.

“To be a true god he would have to be, let me see

An inventor of forces or of chemistry

Then you might be useful like Muninn and me”

“Chemistry what can that be,

is it something easy and simple for me?”

“You might be good at it if you only tried”

said Huginn that knew he already had lied.

Melvyn was inspired at the encouraging word

and thought he’d do chemistry or something absurd

Many rocks and salts due to expire

He threw in his new toy that he called fire

A noise outside then caused him alarm

Was it a travelling god that could do him some harm?

All the rocks and the salts due to expire

Along with the stuff that made things like fire

Threw all in a source pan is what he did

Then with all force he screwed down the lid.

The god flew past not stopping to see

If anything was in the cave by the sea

He was too busy carrying his load

To hear an old source pan about to explode

Before Melvyn could take off the lid

The source pan exploded and Melvyn just hid

The cave came alive with sparkling light

Produced three colours novel and bright

The sparkling colours of red yellow and blue

Poor Melvyn was at a loss just what to do

If Gods were annoyed they would have him slaughtered

So he washed all away with dull salty water

But as the water rushed out his cave

What ever it touched some colour was saved

And so as the water flowed in and out of the cave

more colours escaped with each passing wave.

Each drop of water passed the colour on to the next

all water drops now beautifully convect

although each drop of water is crystal clear

if you pass a light through it all the colours will appear.

Huginn and Muninn flapped around trying to push colour back

and soon every colour of the rainbow stuck to their back.

If they returned to Odin like this they would take the flack

so they cast a spell to turn themselves back to black,

the only things in the world that were black

The colours flowed onward spread by the sea

Was this an improvement did all gods agree?

Not all were impressed not Odin I fear

That promised to clout the young god round the ear

“No” said Freya it’s a gift you will see

Does red really look that good on me

Frigg a goddess whose virtue so true

Said does my bum look too big in blue?

Then up popped Aegir as mad as can be

Said whose been playing with my dark sea?

My dark waters of black marine

Some one has turned into blue and green

This colour thing I'm not really keen

My one eye’s dark blue and the other light green

Astrid the goddess of love from her slumber

Looked at the colour of her little black number

I loved my black dress it was my delight

Went perfectly well with accessories white

Now there’s no Black or shades of grey

What was wrong with black, is all I shall say

They called for Baldur the god of peace

And asked if he could make this colour thing cease

Alas, colour is here, it won’t go away

But I could just add black white and grey

Thor alarmed said they should ration

This colour thing that was now fashion

Odin smiled his knowing smile

This will occupy the ladies for more than a while

While they decide what colour to wear

That goes with their nails and colourful hair

The male gods could go hunting, race round and do war

Battle dress and camouflage is what colour is for

Bright medals with ribbons and silver galore

Rank, status and order something else to explore

All gods seem happy with their colour display

Expect Melvyn the bored who was in dismay

When only school uniforms like his remained grey