The elder meets the phantom

The town elder, wise and stern,
Began to sense, began to learn,
That whispers of the phantom’s spree
Pointed to a fool’s decree.

The jester laughed, the crowds would cheer,
But none had guessed, none thought to fear,
That in the night, this playful loon
Left marks beneath the silver moon.

"‘Twas you!" the elder cried in shock,
The fool just grinned at twelve o’clock.
“A jest, my friend, to bring delight—
A prank to liven up the night!”

Though anger flared, it couldn’t stay;
The fool had turned their gloom to play.
Now legends tell, with laughter ripe,
Of the phantom fool who struck at night.