A rhyming poem about the foolhardiness of one youngster.

The news had spread like a wildfire.
A large cat prowled their neighborhood.
The danger of attack was dire;
the cat would kill all that it could.

While the adults stayed safe inside,
one youngster threw caution aside.
He ventured forth, failing to hide,
to see what the night would provide.

He had scarcely begun to roam
when he caught the hunter’s keen eye.
The cat now blocking his way home,
the youth’s outing had gone awry.

Still unseen, the cat stalked his prey.
Crouched, with muscles rippling, he crept
closer, still closer, soon to slay.
He leapt … a kill, quick and adept.

The youngster had paid a price dear
for his act of foolhardiness.
Age would have brought wisdom, that’s clear;
maturity would’ve meant success.

The cat carried his kill and laid
it near the lady of the house.
By her reaction he felt betrayed.
She screamed at his gift of dead mouse!