The Frog And The Chameleon

From out of the lacustrine,dense tract, green Lining the silent mossy forlorn lake keen , Came out leaping and hopping,a fat frog ; He landed and stopped on a reedy clog , As he saw the Chameleon on a stem frail , Gripping fast the rush with its prehensile tail , Croaking and flicking his tongue around, To relish one and all the insects found ; He made his own way on the rich moss, And back and forth on the spread-over grass ; His acrobatics envied and enraged the rival Watching silently with rolling eyes since arrival . The crestfallen had missed his chance thrice And retracted to sit still like frozen ice - Having lost to the place his colour and stance ; Thrill and anxiety did the crux spell enchnce ; A surly serpent suddenly sprang,as if to mock Hissing , out of the crevice beneath a rock ; It was a measured move -a prize catch ; The victim was more a meal than a match , And went in neatly with a suppressed wail ; The avenged lizard quirked and muttered his hail : Pride goes pouncing and swooping before a fall , Thus to end up with a whimper, defeat and all.