Bison and Monkey

Deep in the forest there lived a bison

Calm and sedate

Wishing none ill fate

Deep in the same forest there lived a monkey

Carefree

Hanging from a tree

Often and often their paths crossed

While the bison grazed

And the monkey swayed

And often the monkey tormented the bison

Pull his tail, hang on his horns

Ride his back or prick him with thorns

Monkey’s torment to bison seemed endless

With endless pranks

Which he thought was swank

Bison endured this with a deep sigh

Calm and sedate

Wishing none ill fate

As many a day and month rolled by

Monkey continued with no relent

Taking bison’s silence for consent

Sagacious bison, one day, wandered off

When he left base

Another took his place

As usual monkey arrived to hone his skills

To be the best

Of all known earthly pest

He resorted to his old ways

Of pulling a tail, and swinging on horns

Riding on back and pricking with thorns

Monkey was in for a big surprise

Did he just hear bison snort?

Or was it a joke of some sort?

Monkey was least ready when the attack came

He forgot to tell his final prayer

As he was thrown into the air

Monkey paid the price in the end

A fitting end for being a goof

Was the final blow of bison’s hoof

BinduVidyadhar