"Why Engai Made Cheetah Fastest of All"

Some of the Animals held a Contest,
To see once and for all Who was the best,
Wanting to see Who was Fastest of All,
They needed SomeOne Fair to make the Call,
The called on Engai God to be the Judge,
(And Some tried to bribe Him with Chai and fudge),
But Engai knew One wouldn't be a cheat,
He would find One true , with Swiftness of Feet,
Lion *knew* He'd win the Race (being King),
Elephant wheezed in His trunk (crazy thing!),
Hyena laughed (but then, He always did),
Zebra, striped Zebra, was there, unhid,
Rhinosaurus wore His Suit of Armor,
Cobra and Mamba joined in the clamor,
Croc in the Nile, Rabbit on the Bank,
Leopard just *knew* the Others, he would spank,
Spider, being the Sneakiest of All,
Plotted and Planned to make the Others fall,
And Cheetah--sleepy Cheetah!--didn't know,
That this Event would be the Biggest Show,
"Are All here? Any One of You missing?"
(Engai settled two Cats that were hissing),
"Where is Cheetah? She's supposed to be here!
How can She miss the Event of the Year?
THAT'S IT--the Race is over, IT IS DONE!"
Engai roared before the Race had been run,
"WAIT A MINUTE--HOW CAN THIS BE?" They said,
Engai interrupted Them all instead,
"Cheetah was sleeping; She did not bribe Me,
Cheetah shall be Fastest, this I decree,
She may not run far, however, She can
Still be the Fastest in all of the Land."
Animals complained, "It's not fair!" "It's NOT!!"
They thought Engai's decision full of rot,
Animals fussed, but Engai was louder:
"Of Cheetah, I couldn't be more prouder,
She deserves to be rewarded--NOW LEAVE,
OR ENGAI'S WRATH IS WHAT YOU WILL RECIEVE!"
Sleepy Cheetah was humbled, and She said,
"Thank You, Engai, for Blessings on My Head,
I'm quite tired, may I go take a nap?"
Engai laughed, gave Cheetah's head a soft tap,
"Are you too sleepy to join in the Feast?
All are welcome, the Greatest to the Least!"

MEISUDOO OL-OWUARU OL-KUJITA (MAASAI
PROVERB): The grass will not hide
the beast (lion). MORAL: Be honest,
or sooner or later, the lie will be
exposed.

(c) Karla Dorman, 2003