Jabberwocky rewrites

It’s been a while since my last post, my apologies for the absence. Work’s been kicking my butt, and I haven’t had the attention to do as much as I’d like on my “for the love” work.

I was inspired to make a couple of new sketches… My two daughters rewrote Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” poem as a school assignment. They couldn’t make up words as Carroll did, and they had to continue the original poem’s rhyming scheme. I was impressed by their rewrites and asked if I could include them on my blog. Graciously, they gave me their permission.

In the same spirit of their rewrites, I kept the swordman from John Tenniel’s illustration of the Jabberwock, and then added my own sketch to fit each of my daughter’s poems. Pretty drastic is the difference in drawing talent from Tenniel to me…

The Bumblebees
by Molly

’Twas morning, and the happy sun
Did shimmer and twinkle in the sky;
All gleeful were the squirrels, from fun
And the singing birds flew by.

“Beware the bee hive, little one.
The bees that sting, the wings that buzz!
Beware the neighbor’s dog, and shun
The horrible bees in their fuzz!”

He took his bee killer in hand;
Long time the numerous foes he sought—
So rested by the maple tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in horrid thought they flew,
The bumblebees, with stingers of darts,
Came buzzing through the sky, on cue
And attacked with evil hearts!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The bee killer went swishty-swish
He left them dead, and proudly said,
“Sting more people? They wish!”

“And have you killed the bumble bees?
Come to my arms, my lovely boy!
O happy day! Hurrah! Hurray!”
He chortled in his joy.

’Twas morning, and the happy sun
Did shimmer and twinkle in the sky;
All gleeful were the squirrels, from fun
And the singing birds flew by.

The Unicorn
by Tess

’Twas twilight, and the magic bog
Did quiver and tremble in the breeze;
And in rolled an ominous fog,
And hunters moved with ease.

“Beware the unicorn my son.
The hooves that stamp, the horn that spears!
Beware the killer bee, and shun
The zombie auctioneers!”

He took his shining sword with glee;
Long time the scary foe he sought—
So rested he by the apple tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in quiet thought he stood,
The unicorn, with eyes untamed,
Came galloping through the silent wood,
And whinnied as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The shining blade, with deadly aim,
Pierced the horn of the unicorn,
And a myth the beast became.

“And has thou slain the unicorn?
Come to my arms, my fearless boy!
O joyous day! Oh, wow, oh yay!”
He chortled in his joy.

’Twas twilight, and the magic bog
Did quiver and tremble in the breeze;
And in rolled an ominous fog,
And hunters moved with ease.