Ah we ladies and lassies come gather around
For I’ve a story of a man, a loch, and the creature that he found.
Once upon a time many, many years ago
A young man called Jock was feeling quite low
Not sure of his direction or purpose in life
He needed a job, a house and a wife
He travelled the highlands and the valleys below
In search of a life where the yellow heather grow
He stood on the bank admiring the bright stream
And watch a wader flick line forever it would seem
As the Laird fished without any luck
Jock pointed and spoke up
“try yon loch nook and yon wee cranny there’s a bolder for shelter “
And on the next cast the Trout bit the hook.
"Fauna an flora you seem to know well
You’re no vagrant, I pride myself this I can tell
There’s a job here looking after all you can see
Unless you’re scared of our monster called wee Nessie"
"I pissh to your monsters there’s no such thing
But gamekeeper for Laird has resounding ring"
"Well the pays not bad and there’s a we cottage as well
Just look after my lands Jock or I‘ll send ye to hell."
Jock worked like a trouper looking after the loch
encouraging the birds and building fish stock
The Spotted Woodpecker, the partridges and pheasants
The Salmon were healthy and brown trout tasted pleasant
The system was working with his gentle help
and those that relied on the loch all felt
Those things might have gone horribly wrong
It was quite timely that Jock had come along
One evening as Jock was on his way home
He notices the water was starting to foam
Like the ghostly wake from a motoring boat
but there was nothing he could see that was a float
Whatever it was creating the wake
Behind it the fishing fleet were out on the lake
Jock cupped his hands and started to shout
You need to hid or they’ll find you out
There’s a cave at the castle its large inside
A perfect place for you to hide
I’ll head to the castle and see you there
As the ripples dispersed as if in to thin air
Over rocks and rubble and down he did climb
Hoping against hope he hadn’t lost his mind
Until he reached a ledge just above
And watched as the cave water bubbled up
Out of the water Nessie appeared
Her long slender neck and head revealed
With a wink of the eye and wave of the head
She looked over Jock and this is what she said
"You’re the one that watches over the loch
The one creatures call gentle Jock
I’m indebted to you for finding this place
Giving me sanctuary from the human race."
Now Jock couldn’t speak was as white as they come
Had lost all feeling from his toe to his thumb’
Slowly his head returned to the ground
As this concept of Nessie the creature he’d found
Now every evening, before he’s away to his bed
He takes his supper with Nessie instead
A friendship developed between these two
That over the years grew and grew
No one was the wiser of Nessie and Jock
He always denied she lived in the loch
Protecting his friend dispelling the myth
Year after year he just called it pissh
Now years have come and gone
And still nun have caught on
The party was just starting to begin
As old Jock enjoys a dram at the inn
It’s Hogmanay it’s that special day
As the New Year starts old Jock slipped away
Now Nessie felt his passing and let out a mighty roar
It’s said it was heard from Loch Olch and as far as the Inverness shore
Time passes slowly and Nessie is rarely seen
But every year Iv heard it say on hogmanay Nessie lets out a terrible scream….
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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lmao.
That is oh so epic.
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I haven't heard such stories since ages..
Well done Paul
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awesom write
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Scots Wae He!
I enjoyed this. Thanks for the video to go with it.
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The video clip was a real beauty. God knows how you made it. The person speaking sounds like my Brother in law. There is so much talent here. Thanks for the read. Only one part i didn't quite understand is this one...
“try yon lock nook and yon wee cranny there’s a bolder for shelter “ -
I'm still waiting for the video clip to load as i am on dialup. in the meantime, i have read this spectacular poem and was absolutely astounded. This piece reminds me of a movie i saw a while ago where Nessie was being protected as Nessie lived in a cavern below the water. It is an ingenious bit of work that really told a very beautiful story. I just adored it to pieces, even though the ending was so very sad. Utter brilliance penned here and worthy of a mention. Once i have seen the video clip i will tell you what i think. A true masterpiece. Well done indeed.
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An enjoyable tale told well, I would be interested in learning how the animation was done.
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wow
You did an amazing job on this. I loved the story and the writing style. I am going to feature it and recommend it to the spotlight. Great job.
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Well done Paul and your fab collaborators!
Love that Scottish brogue
My dad never really lost his, even though he's lived in Oz since he was 14..it's indelible I tell ya lol
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Very nicely written.
I am greatly interested in Celtic things and this fit in my guilty pleasure niche nicely.
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Wow
Thats well sad it's really good tho 
Nout like a bit of bag pipes
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a good story poem, i did not click the video, i prefered to just read the poem, ah the loch ness monster, shown not as a monster but with kindness and friendship.
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Having Scottish roots myself (Mom born in Scotland)..your poem is most entertainingly convincing, and delightful..You keep us spellbound from start to finish.
write! 
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Wonderfully expressed...
Well, since I'm not familiar with the old-world language used here, all I can offer in critique is in the story itself. This is a very colorful Scottish folktale, and I loved reading it, as I felt a very special connection to the ways of their culture, as well as the people of the land. My ancestors were Scotch-Irish, and so I've read a few fairy and folk tales. I consider this is a brilliant, poignant, and quite lively piece!! 
I'm wishing you all the best in the contest, Poet!!
Slán,
Cyn
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Superb!
It's just what I needed after a day of hot, humid work. Just the thing to lighten things up. You have given me much pleasure. Thank You!
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Very good
I really liked the story you have portrayed.
I saw a lot of spelling errors, wee means little, we means a group of people, and you used lock in a couple of spots and you were referring to a loch. I think that was all I found.
I also noticed this: "You’re the one that watches over the lock (loch)
The one creature call gentle Jock "
I think it would sound better, "You're the one that watches over the loch,
The one called gentle Jock"
Overall I loved it.
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This is pretty cool. You three did a great job with this tale
Dee
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Stunning Paul as usual, and thanks for allowing me the honour, sheer brilliance if I say so myself
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