Who They Say

He is heartless, they say.

But why did he give the little girl

A piece of his meager bread?

He is calculating, they say.

But why does he not take advantage 

Of the little girl when he easily can?

He is disloyal, they say.

But why did he stay by the little girl’s side

Even when he had more important things to do?

He is greedy, they say.

But why did he ask for nothing in return

After he helped the little girl so many times?

He is a monster, they say.

But why, then, does kindness show through his cracks?

Why did he pick the kite out of the tree for the little girl?

Why did he waste his medicine to help the deer?

Why did he lend his basket to the villagers,

But never asked for it back?

Stay away from him, they say.

But the little girl doesn’t.