THE MULE'S SHADOW
Long ago it came to pass,
A Roman far from home
Decided he would hire a mule
To carry him to Rome.
The sun was hot. The man grew tired,
And soon he thought it best
To slide off from the mule he'd hired
And take a noonday rest.
Dismounting from his weary mule,
He sat within its shade‑‑
The pleasant shadow, small but cool,
Which this poor creature made.
The owner of the donkey cried:
"Arise this instant, Sire!
You only hired my donkey's hide!
His shadow's not for hire!
 |
| Leo Harrington |
The other said: "Tut, tut, you fool!
Be off! Be off with you!
I hired the shadow and the mule;
You can't divide the two!
Well, while they wrangled, yea and nay,
With loud emphatic rhythm,
The little donkey ran away,
And took his shadow with `im!
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