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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 © Richard D Seal | Year Posted 2016