Welcome to the Everlands

’Twas ever thus and ever so: a traveler by the name of Bo,
Who’d wandered, and a-wand’ring would go,
To far-off eastern oceans, to western desert plains,
To mountains high and rivers low, and everywhere in between.
Yes, Bo Bid’ley was a traveler to many a far-off land—
From here to there and everywhere, he’d have you understand.
And everywhere Bo Bid’ley went, ’twas sure he’d let you know
Just where he’d been and whom he’d seen, in circles high and low.

He’d seen the Perchen horse and witnessed the arctic sun,
He’d married a preacher’s daughter and wooed a cloistered nun,
He’d drunk the golden cup and held a lovely maid,
He’d fought a great big battle and returned with Aeron brave.
He’d wandered the lost desert and found the hidden lands,
He’d searched for buried treasure—and buried priceless gems.
He’d climbed the highest heights and descended lower lows,
And laughed, just out of spite, at whate’er he did not know.

But Bid’ley was no fool (though many assumed as much):
He was a stickler for the rules, and the best with etiquette.
He learned to speak the language, to talk the native tongue,
And he'd greet every stranger by the stranger’s strange customs.
“I bid g’day to you, fair Ser, and farewell to you, Madam;
And to the stranger e’er I meet, I bid a warm welcome.”
'Twas this his greatest secret—said with flourish and a bow—
He’d bid welcome to all he met, their servant then and now.

Then one day news came in: old Bo he was no more.
He’d gone up to Devil’s Knot and set out to explore—
He ne’er returned that dreadful place, and surely we know why:
Old Bo forgot to bid welcome to the siren’s song and cry.
So let this be a lesson to children, one and all:
You'd better mind your elders, and help others with the call;
And remember always this, my dears—however near or far or wide—
Always bid your best welcome to the white siren's whispered cry!