There was a time when I wrote a lot of rock operas. That is, I wrote the stories and the librettos, and outlined some music with my ancient six-string for some (deeply) more talented composers to flesh out.
Oddly enough, when I wrote this, I had no idea that I was a monster.
I thought I was writing fiction, but I’ve been assured by many people that it was actually autobiography.
Who’d have thought?
As I used to explain “What SHARP Teeth”, it was the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood, with the traditional characters, namely, The Narrator, Susie, and The Crocodile.
Wait.
Those aren’t the traditional characters?
Oops.
This is a short little piece. It’s fitting that a narrator come out and give you an introduction and an outro. The introduction guides you into the tale, the outro sees you safely home. The Narrator makes little appearances between bits of action, in order to facilitate the action.
I won’t spoil the rock opera, in case you happen to see it someday, but…
….that’s not how it goes in this particular iteration of the yarn.
You don’t need the rest of this show to read the little poem (or song, whichever) below.
But if you do ever catch the rest of the show…
Consider this your first, and only, warning.
_________
I’m a Storyteller,
And I know my role well,
And I have got a story
That I am bound to tell.
Let me tell you a story—
(It’s carefully writ.)
Please listen closely
And you might benefit.
Hey, let me tell you a story—
I will tell you in song.
(And you cannot blame me
If things go horribly wrong.)
Let me tell you a story,
And I am not to blame—
If it’s dark and it is bloody—
I must tell it just the same.
I’m a Storyteller
And I know my role—
I must tell this story.
I must stay in control.
So forgive me if I hurt you,
If I betray your trust—
But my allegiance is the story—
…And I must tell it
as I must.
My name is Jeff Mach (“Dark Lord” is optional) and I build communities and create things. Every year, I put on Evil Expo, the Greatest Place in the World to be a Villain. I also write a lot of fantasy and science fiction.. You can get most of my books right here. Go ahead, pre-order “I HATE Your Prophecy“. It may make you into a bad person, but I can live with that.
