THE UNTOUCHED EARTH

Though no joke in the explorer’s word,
When he spoke, the emperor laughed,
“My empire spans from sea to sea!
These palace beams from distant trees,
There’s no land where my hand has not been,
So, why would I have need for thee?”
 
“I’ll wager,” said the pioneer,
“That you make me your chief courtier,
Should I find a portion of the land,
That is untouched by human hand.”
“But should you fail,” the ruler said,
“I will relieve you of your head!”
 
So, they agreed, explorer left,
And the emperor laughed at his expense.
 
But the man returned within the hour,
And in his hands, a silver platter,
Upon the plate, a square of mud,
Topped with grassy plants and such.
 
“It cannot be! I do not think,
Your ship spans lands within a blink,
Nor boots cross states within a step,
Where did you find this untouched patch?”
 
“In your garden, sire,” explorer said,
Turning the clump upon its head.

The emperor gave a smile of mirth,
Then laid hand upon the untouched earth.