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The Ballad of The Cockerel, The Dragon and The Worm.

(For all who think telling others what to do is a good idea)

In times of legend, once there was
A cockerel bold, whose dragon friend
Was jealous of him. This because
His horns the cockerel wouldn't lend.

Let me explain: We know, for sure,
That just horn'd animals are allowed
To go each night and make a tour
Of Heav'n, To party on a cloud.

In olden times the cockerel did
Have wondrous horns, but his sad pal
The dragon, such an envious kid,
Had none. And oh, that carnival,
That party glorious in Heaven to go!
The dragon begged and pleaded, till
The cockerel tired of saying "NO!"
In truth t'was making him quite ill.

And so the cockerel told the worm,
Who every creature knew was wise,
That he was feeling quite infirm.
The worm replied, "You should revise
Your harsh opinion, he's your friend.
He only wants to go one night
To Heaven. I don't comprehend
Why you don't think that is alright!"

"You're right", the cockerel said. "I've been
A lousy friend. He's promised that
It's only for one night. How mean
Of me, behaving like a brat."
And so the cockerel freely gave
The dragon his horns, and off he flew.
His friend, the dragon, was a knave.
He bade the cockerel "Adieu!"

And so he stayed high in the cloud
For ever after. That is why
Each morning you will hear a loud
A plaintive, angry, piercing cry
As Cockerel shouts up to the blue
"Oh, give me back what's truly mine!"
That's why, as well, a dragon you
Now never see on earth, he's drinking wine
In Heav'n. So the cockerel sad,
When his loud shouts have run their term,
And if he still is feeling bad,
Why then, he turns and EATS THE WORM!

Learn more about this author, Ingrid Collins.
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