A Billy goat named Gillyboat joined a chipmunk named Flea
Upon the great raft Gigglefloat to sail the Red Fox Sea
Gillyboat had met Flea at school; their friendship had formed fast
The type of friendship for all-time; the kind certain to last
Gil and Flea, like many friends, saw most things eye-to-eye
However, Gillyboat sometimes left Flea questioning why
Gillyboat was a stubborn goat, determined to succeed
Sometimes, Flea was the victim of Gil’s devastating need
Flea had kept the great Gigglefloat for its rich history
It was the only sailing raft to cross the Red Fox Sea
Yet, on the Gigglefloat’s last voyage, a nail had poked its side
Flea placed the raft in his front yard and let it rest with pride
The Billy goat named Gillyboat had never sailed before
He found the great raft Gigglefloat by Flea the chipmunk’s door
Gillyboat the Billy goat knocked on Flea’s window ledge
Flea answered, with his old guitar perched by the sprawling hedge
The Billy goat named Gillyboat said, “C’mon Flea, let’s sail”
Poor Flea said, “Gil, the Gigglefloat…has been poked by a nail.”
“Nail, schmail!” Gillyboat said. “I know the raft will fly.”
“The wind will push across the waves; we will be high and dry.”
Gillyboat the Billy goat was as certain as can be
The two could take the Gigglefloat across the Red Fox Sea
Flea the chipmunk shook his head, as Gillyboat kept on
He knew the great raft Gigglefloat belonged there on the lawn
The Gigglefloat’s blue paint had chipped; the raft was undesired
Much different from the brilliant tales the craft had once inspired
The Gigglefloat sat next to the guitar Flea had never played
Like the guitar, the raft was old and did not make the grade
Flea knew Gillyboat was convinced they would cross Red Fox Sea
However, Gil in times like those, was far less than lucky
Over their friendship’s history, Gillyboat often erred
Flea knew the Gigglefloat would sink and he was very scared
The last time Gillyboat was wrong, Flea landed on his head
Gil made a parachute from rocks; Flea spent three months in bed
“Let’s take the raft to shore at dawn.” Gillyboat said to Flea
“Together, we can span the waves and cross the Red Fox Sea.”
“That all sounds nice,” Flea said to Gil, “but the raft has a hole.”
“Without a patch, the craft will sink; we will lose our control.”
“Don’t worry, Flea,” said Gillyboat, “the Gigglefloat will sail.”
“I have been incorrect before; this time I will prevail.”
“The Red Fox Sea is very wide, but if we paddle fast,”
“We will cross to the other side; I will succeed at last.”
“Please let me show you, Flea, my friend. Please let me prove you wrong.”
“The Gigglefloat may have a hole, but I know it is strong.”
Flea rolled his eyes; then, shook his head and nodded an okay
The Gigglefloat would sail at dawn or sink by end of day
Flea knew how much the trip to sea meant to the Billy goat
Therefore, he packed his lucky charm and his bright red raincoat
He gave his friend the chance to show he could be right, for once
The Billy goat needed to know he was not a failed dunce
With his mind set, Flea went to bed and drifted off to dream
Yet, all his mind could think about was the Gil’s lost self-esteem
“Be strong tomorrow, Gigglefloat.” Flea whispered in his sleep
“Be strong for us as we endure the struggles of the deep.”
“Protect us from the whales and sharks, the crabs and stingrays, too,”
“But, most of all, great Gigglefloat, hold back the ocean blue.”
Flea was still very scared, you see; his raft was less than par
Then, in a flash, Flea leaped and dashed to his antique guitar
He had suddenly remembered how the old guitar had strings
His great-grandma had used them to fix oh, so many things
Flea the chipmunk broke a twig by the light of the moon
With guitar strings and twig in hand, he weaved a raft cocoon
Flea worked and sewed the guitar strings into the Gigglefloat
Feverishly, he fastened each one to the rafting boat
With a fresh coat of cobalt paint, the Gigglefloat was set
For a voyage Flea and Gillyboat would not soon forget
Gillyboat the Billy Goat and Flea, his chipmunk mate
Set sail aboard the Gigglefloat before the hour was late
“Don’t worry, Flea,” Gillyboat said, “the raft will be just fine.”
“The Gigglefloat should reach the shore at a quarter past nine.”
The seas were rough, the waves were high; Gil’s eyes were filled with dread
He worried that the Gigglefloat would sink to earth, instead
If the raft sunk, Flea would be right; once more, he would look cool
While Gillyboat would redefine the fact, he was a fool
What Gillyboat did not realize was Flea had fixed the raft
Gil and Flea were perched aboard a smooth and stable craft
The waves grew tall and poured inside the Gigglefloat with ease
White foam swirled round and round the raft and blew upon the breeze
“The Gigglefloat won’t reach the shore!” Gil loudly screamed to Flea
“We need to jump for safety’s sake and swim the Red Fox Sea.”
“Relax, my friend, Flea said to Gil, “you have taught me to trust,”
“Remember how you said the raft would fly with each wind gust?”
“Oh yes, my friend, Gil said to Flea, “my silly state of mind,”
“should have you wanting to kick me squarely in the behind;”
“I took a chance and here we are, trapped in the Red Fox Sea,”
“I failed my quest, I failed the raft and I have failed you, Flea.”
“Now, now, there, Gil, Flea said and smiled, “do not worry at all.”
“I patched the hole with guitar strings; let’s say we have a ball?”
“I did not want to see you fail; Gil, you are my best friend,”
“Now, let’s paddle across the sea and reach our journey’s end.”
Gillyboat hugged his little mate; Flea was his greatest pal
Someone who could not stand to see his friend throw in the towel
Together, goat and chipmunk paddled cross the Red Fox Sea
They reached the shore before the night and praised their shared journey
When day was done, ‘twas hard to say which friend had smiled more
The chipmunk who had led the way or goat who reached the shore
Gillyboat the Billy goat and the chipmunk named Flea
Remained good friends beside the shoreline of the Red Fox Sea
Flea had helped Gil to reach a goal he could not reach alone
He shared in Gillyboat’s success as if it was his own
What became of the Gigglefloat, the raft that reached the shore
The Gigglefloat now rests beside Gillyboat’s back porch door
Where it reminds Gil every day that hopes and dreams come true
Despite the fact that Gil and Flea now sail a green canoe!
© 2009 -- Jill Eisnaugle. All rights reserved.
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