The Most Foolish Traveler in the World

Come hear about a traveler aho wandered far and wide, With bread enough for several days and silver at her side. She met a man beside the road who cried, “Please help, I’m poor!” The traveler gave him half her bread—Then gave him even more. Oh, what a fool! Behold and see: the simplest fool you can deceive! Tell her a tale, shed her a tear! All words she just believes! Oh, what a fool! She's soft in brains! With nothing worldly there to gain! She gives away whate'er she has—Then walks the road again. A widow said her children starved. A farmer claimed the blight. A soldier begged for boots to wear against the ruthless night. And whether every tale was true, the traveler never knew. She gave her cloak, her purse, her pack—Till all she had was through. Oh, what a fool! Behold and see, the simplest fool you can deceive! Tell her a tale, shed her a tear, all words she just believes! Oh, what a fool! She's soft in brains! With nothing worldly there to gain! She gives away whate'er she has—Then walks the road again. The clever laughed behind her back: “Just look at all we've gained! That fool will give you everything if you but call her ‘friend.’” And still she smiled and traveled on, though empty-handed now, For every thanks she had received was treasure anyhow. At last she reached a lonely wood, no food nor coin nor shoe. There strangers came with hungry eyes and begged a kindness too. She had no bread. She had no gold. No cloak remained to give. So piece by piece, she gave herself—So others then could live. Oh, what a fool! Such easy prey what everyone she met would say. She kept on giving all she had till all of her she gave. Oh, what a fool! Oh what a shame! No profit, prize, no friend, or fame. And those who took went laughing off and ne'er recalled her name. Was she a fool because she gave? Naïve to hold no grudge? Is cleverness the highest good by which all men should judge? If kindness is repaid with lies, ijs kindness worthless then? If wolves devour the gentle lamb, do wolves make better men? We mock her for believing words and praise the ones who lied. But tell me which you'd rather meet upon a road at night? So call her foolish if you must. Indeed the name is true. She saw the good in wicked men long after you would do. Oh, what a fool! A girl to cheat! A girl I hope I someday meet! Too slow to learn that love should end when love brings misery. "Oh, what a fool!" Said all her life and in the end it's simply true. But I would trust that fool with mine 'fore meeting clever men like you.