Advice for a Hero-In-Training

Advice for a Hero-In-Training

Now listen lad, I’ll give you some advice
Because you’re leaving fam’ly, hearth and home.
To be a hero, you must pay a price
And suffer many hardships while you roam.

You’ll fight with ogres, trolls and dragons, too.
You do it for a grand and worthy cause.
But don’t expect rewards to come to you.
You’ll likely just get jeers and not applause.

It may take years before you’re finally known,
But some day you’ll receive your just reward.
A king may have you kneel before his throne
And tap your head and shoulders with his sword.

A hero’s life is grand; none can compare,
But grueling is the road to getting there.

(Shakespearean sonnet - 14 lines)