“Rabbit!” said Lion, “I’m finished!
my mane has grown brittle and thinner.
My once-fearsome roar is diminished
and all for the lack of a dinner!”
.
Rabbit agreed: “it’s the end,
my legs have lost all of their hop!
And look at my ears, dearest friend.
They flip and they flap and they flop!
.
I wish we had something to eat;
a snack as we slip to our doom,
a small final wish dish or treat.
Just something to lighten our gloom!”
.
“My brother, I only have you,
and,” Lion declared, “you have me!
I have an idea – what we’ll do
is munch on each other for tea!”
.
So Rabbit fetched logs and a pot.
He leapt in and seasoned the stew.
He waited until it grew hot
and said “ I believe I’m cooked through!”
.
He jumped from the pot with a grin.
“We’ll eat when we’re both fully done!”
Poor Lion agreed and leapt in,
was boiled alive and fed one.
.
Paul Hughes 2011
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This is based on an African tale, told to me by one of my students…
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