A boy and a woman
A girl and a man
All climbed inside
A large yellow van
They drove round the country
In hopes they would find
The answer to questions
That troubled their mind
Many had answers
But none seemed to fit
And after some time
They just wanted to quit
Just when they felt
That no one could help
They stumbled upon
An old and wise Elf
“I know many things”,
The old Elf said with glee
“I’ve lived a long life.”
“Would you like some tea?”
Ask me your question
Said the Elf to the four
I’ll try to answer
You’ll need search no more
The Elf served them tea
And the 4 took a taste
And this is the question
They posed without haste
We all tell each other
It’s love that we feel
But none of us knows
Why it doesn’t feel real
Mmmm, hmmm, said the Elf
I think that I see
Why this problem of love
Is troubling thee
Look at the teacup
You now hold in your hand
Consider the teacup
And you may understand
Within every heart
Lies a teacup of gold
That yearns to be filled
With all the love it can hold
But that teacup is NOT
Like the one in your hand
There are two things about it
You must understand
Only half the gold cup
Can be filled by ALL others
By family, by friends,
And even by lovers
Not one drop more
Than half can they add
Only half can they give
Does that make you sad?
But there’s more ‘bout this cup
This gold cup in your heart
The bottom’s a problem
And here’s the tough part
If the love of another
Hits the bottom of the cup
The love turns to dust
And can never fill up
Now, laughed the Elf
Be clever if you will
And tell me just how
This gold cup you can fill
The man answered first
And was filled with despair
Love only fills half and
The rest’s filled with air
Not even half
The woman did cry
The love other’s give
Will just dry up and die
Not true said the boy
As he looked at the Elf
For half of the love
Can come from your self
Good, said the Elf,
You have understood well
But I am afraid
There is still more to tell
I see!, said the girl
Who seemed ready to burst
The half from your self
Must be in the cup first
The Elf clapped his hands
With glee and delight
And the four shook their heads
And knew he was right
If we can’t love ourselves
Then we don’t feel it’s true
When some one else says
the words I love you
The love of another will
Will just not sound true
If you turn it to dust with
“If you only knew”.
You must know you are worthy
In yourself you must trust
Or the love that is given
Will just turn to dust
So now you know
Said the old and wise elf
That the first love must
Be the love of yourself
On top of that love
All others can pour
Til your cup is so full
You will never need more
The boy and the woman
The girl and the man
Headed back home
In their large yellow van
The elf sipped his tea
In his golden tea cup
And patiently waited
For more folks to show up
For there’s no end to people
Who don’t love their self
And need to hear answers
From an old and wise elf.
