Tom was a large young man with a very congenial personality. Most in the village considered him a big oaf, only good for menial labor. He helped out wherever he could to earn his room and board, and was paid little more than that. The old man who visited the village took a liking to Tom. He was considered a character unto himself, and drew suspicious stairs from the others. Rumors had it that he was a wizard, but rumors like this were never confirmed. Nevertheless, the small populace of this out of the way village, believed in most anything that was bantered about.

There was an old woman

That lived in a shoe

Who reminded children of dark nights

And not Winnie-The-Pooh

 She was dread by her neighbors

And kinfolk alike

And particularly dreaded

By every little tyke