The field mouse and the weasel
had a nasty argument,
as each attempted vainly his
true grit to represent.
They claimed each had more courage
swapping tales of derring-do
and I suspect that maybe just
a couple were not true.
The field mouse dared the weasel
that if he would only name
a single thing he dare not do
the mouse would prove he’s game.
The weasel thought a moment
then he smiled and said with glee,
“Prove elephants have toenails, sir,
by bringing one to me.”
The field mouse found an elephant
asleep upon the grass
and summoned all his courage
(he had tiny balls of brass.)
He nibbled at the toenail till
he’d made a “U” shaped trough,
then grabbed the toenail in both hands
and roughly yanked it off.
He took it to the weasel who was
thoroughly impressed,
then tied the toenail to himself
and wore it as a vest.
The elephant’s toe hurt for months,
which wasn’t very nice.
So now you know why elephants
Are so afraid of mice.
Author notes
This was a challenge from Lauren to write a poem about a mouse and an elephant and whether elephants have toenails.
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Grin ...
when you do not cry, you laugh. And often you laugh with a cry.
Let Lauren inspire you to be Allan!
Love
Always Myra
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Good job
I truly enjoyed this. Good job, deserving
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I loved this. It has a Shel Silverstein aura about it...except the balls of brass part. lol.
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Superb plus
Thanks for the laugh. A very creative write, indeed. Imagery, rhythm and rhyme are just fine. Again, well done. -
well hurray for Lauren...she got her wish
i think this would make anyone smile and laugh
and want to hug you tight. Sometimes, you are
just too adorable for words. There is a children's
book of verse jumping up and down inside of you
just waiting to come out. Love, Lane
. Rewarded 6
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Wow! You're so clever! When reading your author notes, I would have never guessed that's how you came to write this, and I find that challenge interesting. This reminds me of Aesop's Fables or the "how things came to be" stories, and normally I don't like those very much, but this was thoroughly entertaining! Your flow and rhyme is perfect, and there were no mistakes in syllables per line, so reading with the beat came naturally and without effort! Thanks for writing something light and humorous that I enjoyed!
. Rewarded 8
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The secret is out! Pure elephants. Maybe they should learn to forget Awesome poem, and somehow, for an animal myth, I think you did an awesome job. Keep it up!
. Rewarded 4
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An excellent write "explaining" on of the most popular myths about animals. Lauren must be quite a character to set you such a stiff challenge, well done on meeting it. Excellent poem, in lovely metre.
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Funny write, Allan. This reminds me of a story I read in religious studies class about the cycle of life. Mostly the elephant and the mice. In the story I read, mice meant time and the elephant represented death. The ending of this poem was funny. Isn't it funny how some beings that are so big can be afraid of something so small, but I guess it's not all that unusual because of the phobias some people have of animals smaller than them. Like, my aunt has a phobia of spiders even though she logically knows that they can't hurt her. Anyway, great write. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the contest.
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Absolutely humorous. Your amazing.
Candace
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I would say I have always wondered about the true story, but only if I was a liar
I love the humour of this, the rhyme and the flow, this Aesopian fable is a certain winner. I hope the challenge setter awards you top marks.
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Great stuff Allan! One of your very best, reminds me why you are on my favourites list.
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I was told you were one of the best comic poets on the site, I was told the truth, this is superb!
Good joke well told in wonderful metre and rhyme.
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