Modern Retelling of
the Canterbury
Tales:
“Climbing the Side of a 250 Story
building with Suction Cups and Morgan
Freeman” Style
As Told by Ms. Moon and Ms. Hinga’s
Fourth Hour Class
Fall 2011
Prologue
When people are bored, crazy things occur.
The line between sane and insane will blur.
It was during a time such as this
That a group of travelers began to reminisce.
They talked about days of their youth gone by
When every dare and challenge they would try.
It was this reveling in their youth
That prompted this trip, to tell you the truth.
There was a building in the middle of town
Two hundred fifty floors both up and down.
It was a promising sight to this crew,
The possibilities it held were not few.
They tossed around an idea or two,
But when someone said climb, they knew just what to do.
With suction on both their hands and their feet,
To the top they would go, without retreat.
It would be in the news, and history books.
They were bound to get more than a few looks.
So it was decided, to the top they’d go
How long it would take, no one could know.
So now that you see what they were to do.
I’ll pause and run you through a brief who’s who.
DayTavin
Along for the journey was a Wise Old Man
Up on his wagon were many cans
Dressed from head to toe in red and black clothes
Those that made the old man red often fought
Blacker than night was the man’s hair
He enjoyed eating his freshened pears
From town to town he carried his trunk
Fought people who thought of him as a punk.
Amber
We had with us a beautiful Musician
She had a song book that wasn’t efficient
She carried her Jasmine wherever she went
Singing her beautiful song is how she spent
The heart necklace she wore, given by her dad
The moment that he died she became very sad.
Darian
The man I describe is very big and hairy
And everyone thought that he was scary
He would go everywhere with his cat
On top of his head was a big hat
He was a thief, so I call him a robber
If his mom had jewelry, he would rob her
He robbed everyone in the area
But he wasn’t a big bad character.
Andrew
Another member of our group
Was a Ladies Man, he was in the loop
This man had an instrument, it was a flute
He was never mean, that point is moot
He was a true ladies’ man, he loved the girls
He kept himself clean, he stayed in fresh shirts
This young man had a nice voice, liked to sing
Most of the time the squire had that cha ching
He made a lot of poems, he loved to write
He enjoyed playing games, stayed up all night.
Marty
With us on the journey was a Bright Chemist
He understood the study of alchemist
He did not want to be always nervous
But life as a chemist was his purpose
He was quiet but he was very charming
His attitude was always alarming
Everywhere he went he had his briefcase.
Josh Ha.
Along for the journey was a Stoner
Called many things, but never a loner
No home or money but quite rich in thought
Excitement would lie in all stories he brought
Hung around his neck was the sign of peace
Friends with all the people except the police
Always relaxed, never in a hurry
Spent his life laid back, no time for worry.
Kristen
The Angel with us was quite a creature
Her huge black wings were a gorgeous feature
Her wings were slick black with razor white tips
She had purple eyes and sang with great lips
With her a stallion and a great pain
With red eye liner she did not look plain
She was beautiful but also evil
Nice, quiet, strong and always watchful.
Josh Ho.
We had with us a Hunter, very poor,
He was skilled at hunting but nothing more
He had a house, but it was very small
In fact, it was as small as a ball
He was a tall, hardworking man of thirty
Who had a knife and a bow, and he was dirty
He was quiet except for his humming
This was a hunter one never heard coming.
Dominic
He was a Nervous Person, real easy to scare
People would laugh, but he did not care
When he cried for help, no one would come
For the most part his peers thought he was dumb
Some days were hard and he would shed a tear
But he had to pull through and continue to steer
He couldn’t see very well, so he’d always glance
He would try to have fun most days, and dance.
Khalil
A Rastafarian came along too
Everyone thought that he was a cool dude
Long dreds and tall and thin, his skin was dark
He drove a Charger on twenties, laid back
Pelle Pelle coat, shirt, pants and blue white forces
He had a basketball court, no horses.
Tatiana
Traveling beside us was a cute Boxaaa
Very muscular and fine, built like a monstaaa
He had light skin with caramel complexion
With two gold belts he fought with perfection
He is a husband and a family man
He keeps his head up and always thinks he can
Confident in the ring, but talks with slang
He has a mansion where everyone hangs.
Dakota
A short and fat Monk was with us as well
He carried with him a cat with a bell
He had a sword and a shield on his back
He had food and water in his backpack
With messed up hair and expensive clothing
His hair was like a mop of little strings
And he acted like he was always mad
Now that he is always mad, he is sad.
Christian
Traveling beside us, a Know-it-All
He was smart, cunning, careful, and yet small
He can be sneaky, but he is caring
Oh so very able and conniving
He is mostly happy and so lazy
He is random and is always crazy
Joyous he is and helpful and smiling
Nice as can be and always exciting
Jeremy
Let me also tell you about the Fire Head
His anger so strong, the inner fire burned red
Dread locks on his head, no bed but a keg
Drinking he does, but never does beg
Listens to no one, hot headed he stays
He has a job, but really low pay
A lighter her carries along with a knife
Does without thinking, he protects his life.
James
A handsome Marine was with us as well
This well muscled marine was very swell
He had green and blue eyes and broad shoulders
With his muscles he could move some boulders
The possessions he had were a good sword
And a gun, with his sword he could cut Fords
The marine was outgoing and serious and
He fought most his enemies upon black sand.
Kayla
Traveling with us was another Musician
He was a lover, that was his mission
Clean and healthy was he, agile and strong
He made lyrical magic, writing songs
Owner of guitars, music, equipment
His mansion and clothes show all his riches
On the music charts he is never low
But his talent comes from a tortured soul.
Anissa
Kyle
Ma’Ray
Abel
There was a Cashier at the shopping mall
She was the best working one of them all
She bought a lot of cool things with her check
Every Tuesday she spent time on her deck
Her personality was very kind
So when she took days off, no one would mind
She was very pretty with light blue eyes
It kind of resembled the sun set skies.
Traveling beside us was a Smart Guy,
Carrying a big gook on his right side
With his hair cut all even and nice and short
He really was a real good guy and good sport
He had a real good job and good boss
He stayed loyal to his boss just because
So he has a story to go and tell
Hopefully it doesn’t bore you to hell.
Brittany
We had with us a nice Philanthropist
Clothing, weapons, and car, all the finest
Things had to go her way or not at all
If you needed help, she was the one to call
Generous, humorous, oh so caring
Mess with her then you must have been daring
She did not like drama, she was quiet,
She hated people who caused a riot.
Antoinette
Along the way there was a Store Holder
He had lots of money in a folder
Nice as can be, muscles and business suits
He had everything from chicken to fruits
Hard working to generous and outgoing
Giving out and working were never boring
Money maker and kind hearted he was
Lands, foods, wine, houses and weapons were his love.
Shaqera
Along with us was a Money Chaser
A woman made her mad, so she maced her
Cause she got kids, she had to be snappy
Loving money but her kids make her happy
A good mother but can be kind of strict
When she’s being strict her kids throw a fit
She loves to shop and get a lot of clothes
She doesn’t want to be single, but it’s chosed
Ashley We.
A Kind Rich Woman was with us as well
All her friends loved her because she was swell
She had a small dog that she loved so much
Some people thought that she looked Dutch
Her big house was full of her great treasures
To help her friends she took great measures.
Ashley Wh.
So now our crazy risk takers you’ve met
Each one excited, not breaking a sweat.
They all had one thing or another to prove,
Something pushing them, messing with their groove.
Whether they were timid, strong-willed or meek,
Or if their humor was a bit tongue-in-cheek
They all accepted the challenge I gave,
A story they’d tell while weather they’d brave.
The adventurer with the best story
Would be rewarded with dinner and glory.
So as our travelers started to climb,
The stories began directly on time.