As I was out, about, one day I met the strangest man; We talked of things, of wax and kings As he, his tale, began. He said he was a carpenter But looked so fine and grand, Sporting walrus whiskers And walking cane to hand. He told me of his lifetime, Five hundred years or more; He said that I knew nothing, Was wasted heretofore. He said he'd speak a riddle Before he'd by your leave, I'd never glean the answer Just so long as I may breathe. 'Tis round a dish as ever known And white as snow the look of it; There's food and life for all mankind But no man ere partook of it. If I could solve this puzzle I'd walk away scot-free; If not, the devil take my soul, And steal away with me. He laughed and said he had me, That I was soundly beat; And oh, so soon I'd walk with him ~ The archfiend for to meet. But he'd not know what made me tall All those years by-go; He figured wrong what made me strong And made my lifeblood flow. His laughing face would turn to stone He'd see his ruse I'd bilk; And answer his conundrum when I whispered "Mother's milk".