The Locksmith and The Thief

The Locksmith was the kinder, the knower of many days.

The Thief admired the Locksmith in all his clever ways.

They both encountered locked doors-- all steel and blots and wood.

The Thief thought what he could do, the Locksmith what he should.

The twisted gears and levers that barred the way were tight,

So the Locksmith and the Thief were at it all day and night.

They poked and jiggled and prodded, and when the lock gave in,

The Locksmith thought it best to rejoice, while the Thief turned to sin.

The Thief was warned by the wiser but his slim thoughts were set.

He wanted the gold, the glory, the approval of the crowd, and yet...

The Locksmith kept his humble ways, not giving into greed,

And the Thief used the Locksmith's talent to complete many a dirty deed.

The Locksmith was dismayed by the actions of the Thief,

But the Thief never gave a thought to the Locksmith's apparent grief.

They continued in their separate ways for a long long time,

Until they found themselves side by side facing a door covered in grime.

It was an easy job for any of such skill,

But the real test was of the heart, and mind, and will.

The Thief knew the Locksmith would comply to his demand,

So he did not stop until the key was in his hand.

But the key would not turn for him, the small and selfish one,

And the Thief saw the wrong of all that he had done.

When the Thief, once again, made his way to the Locksmith's side,

He told him of the sudden shift in his life's tide.

The Locksmith rejoiced at the Thief's change of heart,

And gave him a shiny set of keys to begin his new start.

Now, if you ever see the Thief, he is quite a changed man,

Because the simple act of caring does more than greed ever can.