The Bell In the Bush

The Bell in the Bush

Down woodland paths the wolf did roam
Far away from his packs home
For game he’d wandered off to seek
The sick, the helpless and the weak
When happened he across a fawn
Tied amid, a forest lawn

Well, he thought, what stroke of luck
a meal is set for me to tuck

“I wouldn’t do that”, came a voice
“It would not be your first best choice”

The wolf sprang round, saw standing near
A proud and steadfast mother deer

“What is that you have to say?
Why do you hold me from my prey?”

“Because the fawn, he be mine
I wish him grow up strong and fine”

“With you for him, I will not vie
for me to live the fawn must die”

“Oh wolf, I thought you would be wise
do you not see before your eyes?
no wish have I to dent your pride
can you not see the fawn is tied?
snatched by man to use as bait
then left for you, here to wait”

The wolf sat back to relax
“Can you not offer me some facts?
Where is this man of which you speak?”

“In yonder house fast asleep”

“How will he know the bait I’ve found?”

“Because the hidden bell will sound”

“You see to rope there is a bell
if you attack it rings to tell
the man in bed will then awaken
knowing that his baits been taken,
no matter where or fast you run
the man will kill you with his gun”

His eyes a slit as they did narrow
Was this deer a hawk or sparrow
Thoughts in his mind she did confuse
Is this the truth or just a ruse?
He looked in eyes of doe eyed deer
And still was left …. with no idea

“I fancy not and do declare
the fawn is caught in simple snare
and so I think I’ll call your bluff
and if I’m wrong, then that is tough” 

“But if I’m right you’ll look forlorn
laying dead before the dawn”

“Let me see that bell you hide
so I may be satisfied”

“The bell is hidden in this bush
behind these leaves so green and lush
the leaves you will have to disturb
and then the man the bell has heard”

“For me then there’s no gain to stay
I’m free of you to walk away”

“Well no, not quite” the deer replied
“For this with you I will confide
if you decide away to slip
the bell in bush, I’ll surely tip”

“It seems then deer in this we’re trapped”
As on the earth his paw he tapped
“So something from me, you want done
before the rising of the sun?”

“Oh yes your help I really need
I ask you wolf to do good deed”

“My teeth are blunt as weathered stone
I can’t chew through the rope alone
and if I try the rope I’ll pull
then bell will ring out loud and full
but your teeth are sharp and strong
to chew through rope won’t take you long”

“You realise my dear female
it’s me the wolf, you do blackmail”

“Tis such a small thing I do ask
and for you will be no great task
Look! I will hold this end steady
you may begin when you are ready”

The wolf sat back in admiration
Was this deer some new creation?
All the others he had met
Were skittish and so full of fret
But this one, she had some gall
She was the bravest of them all

He shook his head and teeth he bared
Bit at the rope the fawn ensnared
At the fibres he did chew
And very soon he’d bitten through

The fawn now free ran to his mother
He was so frightened of the other

The wolf then said. “Listen well my dear
of me there is no need to fear
you I admit, I do admire
even if you be a liar”

“You can’t say that to me fierce wolf
unless you think you do have proof”

“My statement then I do withdraw
my mind like rope you have chafed raw
so be away and take your young
and thank you for this night of fun
but listen now and listen well
this story others you won’t tell”

“Don’t take this tale and make a song
about the wolf who did no wrong
for certain as I am the wolf
the next deer I meet, I’ll engulf”

The deer to wolf did not reply
Instead in woods, the pair did fly

At bush the wolf did sit and stare
Was there a bell concealed there?
As off did run the fawn and doe
The answer now, he’ll never know

But for the deer I do suspect
He has now gained, some respect.


Moral; Never underestimate anyone you meet.


        For Carol Eastman Contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 6/12/2020 7:19:00 AM
Brilliant story! Like Aesop’s fableS!! I love poems with a story and this is one of the best I have read!!
Login to Reply
Date: 9/18/2019 4:38:00 PM
Hundred points..I loved the story and the moral...Fantastic post...
Login to Reply
Date: 10/28/2018 9:48:00 AM
It was nice having you visit. Take care.
Login to Reply
Date: 10/20/2018 11:22:00 PM
comment number six. hahaha. Let me go see one of your best poems on that best poem list of yours!!
Login to Reply
Date: 8/26/2018 4:04:00 PM
and here is like my fifth comment here. hahaha. Thanks for seeing my poem recently!!
Login to Reply
Date: 1/2/2018 7:22:00 PM
Richard, I hope you had a good start to your new year. Thanks for dropping by my poetry!!!
Login to Reply
Date: 12/21/2017 8:58:00 AM
Hi Richard, Just a quick note to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope all is well with you Richard.
Login to Reply
Date: 11/26/2017 7:59:00 PM
Hi Richard. did you have a good Thanksgiving. I had company all week and have fallen behind in so many things. Then it will be a rush to get through the holiday coming up!!
Login to Reply
Date: 11/4/2017 8:37:00 PM
Hey, hope you are having a great weekend, Richard. I AM but I have no time to be here and catch up. DANG!!! gotta go off RIGHT NOW
Login to Reply
Date: 10/25/2017 12:09:00 PM
I meant one of the best I have read. Just a quick note to say hi and see how you have been. Hugs Rick.
Login to Reply
Date: 5/16/2017 5:51:00 PM
thanks for visiting my poem recently, richard. Please write some new poems for me to see!!
Login to Reply
Date: 4/24/2017 9:17:00 AM
One of the best I have read since being on the soup. I hope you are well Rich!
Login to Reply
Date: 4/17/2017 6:56:00 PM
Loved your joke to me today, Richard. Why the heck don't you do a poem on it?
Login to Reply
Date: 12/25/2016 1:58:00 PM
Just came here to say MERRY CHRISTMAS, Richard!!
Login to Reply
Date: 12/12/2016 11:24:00 PM
I do nothing but read and re-read. I love this story, it's as if Jean de la Fontaine wrote a new one.... Wonderful and 7
Login to Reply
Date: 10/21/2016 11:56:00 PM
I so enjoyed reading this one again.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/24/2016 8:14:00 AM
Oops I forgot your 7
Login to Reply
Date: 7/24/2016 8:13:00 AM
This I predict will be the top winner. One of the best poems I have read this week Richard.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/12/2016 8:39:00 AM
hey, this was an excellent story, Richard. THANK YOU for putting this one up. I really enjoyed it. Great moral too.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/11/2016 5:09:00 PM
loved it. Run with this one.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/10/2016 7:38:00 PM
Hi Richard, I enjoyed this very much. I see it as an illustrated children's book. It would be a great bedtime read. Best wishes, JP
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter