#3 - Bear, Tortoise, Hare

 

So one day, 

Tortoise and Hare,

they went through the woods,

to see their friend Bear.

Bear lived alone,

in his house made of stone,

and rarely had guests,

except for some lingering pests.

But Bear was getting old,

and he was almost blind,

so in order to hunt,

he had a companion to find.

Right when he was thinking of this,

Tortoise and Hare came by.

“Hello Bear,” cried Tortoise.

“Hello Turtle,” was the reply.

“You see,” started the Bear.

“I need a helping hand.

For my eyesight is slipping away

and tomorrow’s a hunting day.”

“I can help!” they both said.

Bear laughed and smiled with glee.

“Only one of you may come,

so whoever convinces me

will be my appointee.”

So Hare went first.

“As you can see,

I have big eyes and long ears.

I am fast and nimble -

therefore it ought to be me.

Tortoise is slow,

who will simply sleep

under his inconvenient shell.

Oh, that creep!”

“Alright,” Bear said. “Let’s see what Turtle has to say.”

“Although I may not seem as athletic as he,

I must say that I disagree.

Once when we raced,

it was Hare who decided 

to sleep under the tree.

I went slow but won with grace,

while Hare went fast yet quit the chase.

Thus I am not so foolish,

I am not as priggish,

so I think I will be a better companion.”

Bear sighed.

“You know what,” he growled.

“I am in a hungry mood.

So whoever escapes shall be my hunting aide.

Whoever doesn’t shall be my food!”

Tortoise and Hare were appalled.

Tortoise retreated under his shell.

Hare ran out but couldn’t open the front door!

So Bear showed his teeth...

And the rest is gore.