Thomas Edward was quite smart,
But money had he none.
So quick was he to answer when
Zeus called and told him, “Son…

“I'm having trouble reading books
In the middle of the night.
These lightning bolts burn holes right through;
I need a softer light.

“I asked some other people too,
And when they weren't enthused
I decided I'd give a prize
For whoever's light I used.”

Thomas thought it over,
Then gave Zeus his reply:
“I'll make the best light ever made!
Well, at least, I'll try.”

So Thomas set to work at once,
To finish his design.
He thought a bulb would work well,
Since its shape was quite divine.

He formed the bulb of lucid glass
And being satisfied
He took his only lightning bug
And sealed it inside.

But Thomas had a nemesis
Of whom he did not know.
And thus that night he left his bulb
Unhidden from his foe.

Next morning Thomas was distraught
When, at the break of dawn,
He saw his light bulb on the desk—
The lightning bug was gone.

“My light bulb having been ruined,
Who knows what I shall do?”
The angry Thomas Edward said.
But Zeus replied, “I do.

“You have failed my contest, sir,
And that being the case,
There's only one thing left to do:
I must kill you with this mace.”

Thomas Edward cowered with fear
And backed against a wall.
But mighty Zeus just stood and laughed
At his imminent downfall.

Then Lumeh, God of Light Bulbs,
In a blinding flash of light
Appeared and said to Thomas,
“Now lemme make things right.”

He stood before the mighty Zeus.
His eyes started to narrow.
And with a frail buzzing sound,
He began to brightly glow.

Zeus's eyes were blinded.
Lumeh was alight;
He suddenly exploded,
But Thomas was alright.

Thomas looked with wonder,
For though Lumeh was defunct,
To Thomas Edward's light bulb
A bright glowing was adjunct.

So Zeus ordered his minions to
The prize to Thomas bestow.
And all light bulbs from that point forth
Produced a useful glow.