Poems with Lois Letchford and Mathew: The Court Jesters Last Report to the King Jack Prelutsky

12 Nov 2020 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:39

In this YouTube video, author Lois Letchford, known for her book Reversed Memoir, invites her student Matthew to read the whimsical poem "The Court Jester's Last Report to the King." Lois introduces herself and sets a friendly, informal tone. Matthew launches into a rapid, exaggerated recitation of the poem, listing a cascade of absurd calamities—burning castles, a lizard‑eaten wizard, a prince turned toad, trolls, pirates, monsters, a dragon melting a horse, a giant trampling a school, bees in a bed, and even a missing nose—culminating in an "April Fools!" punchline. Lois interjects with brief repetitions and expresses delight in Matthew’s lively commentary, highlighting the playful, improvisational spirit of the reading. The video showcases a collaborative, educational moment where poetry is performed with humor and spontaneous interaction.

Hi, I'm Lois Letchford, author of the book Reversed Memoir, and I'm reading poems with my student Matthew. Welcome, Matthew. What are you going to read us today?
Last— last— I missed it. Last— the Court Jester's Last Report to the King. Oh sire, good sire, your castle's on fire. I'm afraid it's about to explode. Oh my gosh. A hideous lizard had eaten the wizard. Weird. The, the prince has turned into a toad. Oh sire, good sire, there is woe in the Shire. Fierce trolls are arriving in force. There are pirates in port, monsters and ogres in court, and a dragon has melted your horse. My gosh, how embarrassing.
Oh sire, good sire, there are—
the tidings are dire, and a giant has trampled the school. How's the children gonna learn? Oh, and your army had fled. And there's bees in your bed, a lot of stings. And there— and your nose fell off. And your nose fell off. April Fools!
I love the commentary.