The Fox’s Ruse

Once upon a time a fox was roaming
He was hungry and tired in the gloaming
For almost a week he had not eaten a bit
What prey would be next he didn’t care a whit
He was freezing from cold and was depressed
As he got weaker by the day and was distressed
He hardly understood how he reached such a state
Dying from hunger did not seem to be his fate
So he continued walking, his nose on the ground
Dreaming of the juicy catches he once found
He ran everywhere, going here and there
Hoping to smell something, but it was all bare
Suddenly he sensed the presence of a chicken
Without delay his gait began to quicken
The poor chicken attempted to escape
But although he was completely out of shape,
The fox didn’t give up and, with a great bound
The neck of the chicken in his mouth was found
He realized his life was saved, but he awoke
And sadly had to see it was only a dream’s joke
But then, he walked by by an emplty well
And although he didn’t sense any smell
He murmured, there must be something down there
Hopefully something to eat, I have the flair
And even it there’s nothing, I’ll escape the sun
Let’s just grab the rope and it will be done
But once at the bottom, he found nothing to eat 
Not the smallest little prey or any piece of meat
The fox saw his end approaching, as he was weak
His strength has left him, his outlook was bleak
He passed the night in the well, had terrible dreams
But he was not the only one to starve, it seems
As the sun rose, he caught a glimpse of light
Old Wolf, who was hungry and didn’t have a bite
Was roaming around and craving a meal
The fox’s scent anounced him a good deal
As he approached the well his prey seemed sure
As this terrible hunger he wouldn’t have to endure
But how to get down into the well was the question
It would not be easy, he had the impression
Meanwhile the fox, was devising a crafty plan
Unsing his instincts, this is how he began:
“My friend, Wolf! How happy I am to see you,
Come join me quickly, so you can eat too”
“My dear old friend Fox, you know, I love you,
Will there be enough for both of us to chew?”
“Of course,” said the fox, “it will last a while!”
Wolf was happily salivating with a big smile.
“My dear Fox, but how can I get down there?”
“Just sit in the bucked, I will pull down the chair!
Let’s not wait any longer to enjoy the good meal”
The heavy wolf went into the bucket with zeal.
As his weight was taking him quickly down
Fox, hanging on the rope, clearly saw him frown:
“How come I’m going down while you are going up?”
Fox, who usually feared the wolf had set him a trap.
“My dear Wolf, that’s life. One goes up, one goes down.”
Some learn to swim while others drown. 
 

Copyright 2013 Emile Tubiana