Based on a True Tale

Once upon a dream, there was an old, giant clock
whose tired ticking hands longed for a moment to stop.
For its relentless revolution reminded people
of the wrinkles on their noses and the wrinkles to come.

One day, a little girl hopped up to the clock and piped:
Hello, how do you do? May I shake hands with you?
Astonished, the clock answered:
You'll have to catch me as I spin around.
So she pranced after the hands as fast as she could
but never did she reach those limbs.
Exhausted, she sat down at its foot and cried:
Oh dear clock, won't you stop for me?
The clock answered sadly: I have tried
but I cannot stop for anyone.

After thirty thunderous ticks, the girl exclaimed:
I know what to do, dear clock - I can run the other way!
The clock almost skipped a beat.
The girl got up and danced around the clock to meet its hands.
On her way, she found happy visions of her past
where time no longer turned.
She laughed and laughed and shook its hands
and continued with her dance.

Thanks for stopping for my memories, clock,
she smiled before she left.
Dear girl, remember me fondly as you fly
and don't forget to run back in time.