The Cougar and the Fawn
I It was summer and the forest creatures did roam The forest trails, going about their daily doings. Badger busied himself digging a den, using His sharp digging claws and rapidly did he dig. Deer bounded about, leaping and running, swiftly Did she run, far did she bound as high she did leap. Squirrel, the dasher-darter, jumped from tree to tree. Skunk sniffed the violets and the stinking trillium. Porcupine climbed a tree and gnawed at its bark. Rabbit emerged from his thicket and nibbled greens. Above in the trees, birds tended their nested eggs. And Cougar meancingly searched for a dinner.
II He was old and cagey, wisened by many hunts. Badger has sharp teeth and claws, a fighting spirit. He is not a good choice. Neither is Deer, she is Much too fast for these ancient bones and dulled claws. Skunk has a very bad taste and the Porcupine Has prickly quills that stick in your teeth and your gums. Squirrel soars too high in the trees and won’t come down. Rabbit runs rapidly and bolts for his burrow. Meanwhile, Mother Deer and her baby Fawn were out For an afternoon stroll. While Mother wasn’t looking, Fawn followed a rabbit into his thicket, Where the baby got stuck in the brambles and brush.
III Mother Deer became engaged in a chitter-chatter With Mother Possum and did not notice that her Baby was missing. But Squirrel noted and cried, Cried out did he. But Deer heard not his cry from high. Skunk saw the baby in the briar and also Gave a warning call. But neither did Deer hear him. Porcupine could see from his perch in the tree top And grunted his call of alarm, also unheard. All the forest warned Mother Deer of the danger, But she continued on with chitting and chatting With Mother Possum, who also heard not the calls. Meanwhile, Cougar continued his hunt.
IV Fawn struggled to free herself from the briars, but They held her fast. She called out to her mother, But was not heard. Rabbit emerged from his burrow In the briar and joined voice with Fawn, calling help! Badger noted Fawn’s precarious position, And reported it to Cougar who came swiftly. Fawn cried, terrified, shuddering with abject fear. Cougar observed the frightened, shivering baby, And with his claws freed her from the grasping briar. Fawn ran off to find her mother. Badger asked, Why did you free her? Cougar replied … It is no trouble To be kind.
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