Then he chuckled “your face is so long and low to the ground,
Ya’ll could probably drink without stooping down.”
There came a quacking of laughter from ducks in the water.
It was the Mr. and Mrs., and their small, baby daughter.
“You are indeed very funny,” Mr. Duck said.
“However, your joke was not very nice.
My child must learn that in every endeavor,
Showing kindness does not have a price.”
Then came to the pond was the cow,
And next came a chicken and goat.
They laughed and drank and splashed around,
When a giant bird’s shadow flew over the crowd,
And silence was sung like an opera note.
“It’s the vulture, it’s him!” Cried the cow.
“He’s circling above, he has to feed.
He looks to us to fill his need.
He’ll eat us here and now!”
After a shriek by the group, the goat said:
“Now let’s think before we turn to dread.
Vultures only eat things that are dead.
I do believe we are all alive. We are safe.”
All of those gathered sighed with relief.
The vulture landed on the shore ‘cross the way.
He rested while the others stood in their reef.
To them, their water was sacred and he was a beast.
They hated him and did not welcome his stay.
The horse whinnied and cried
“Thank goodness that no one has died.
I fear, my friends, if you weren’t at my side,
I’d have raced to the barn to hide.”
Mr. Duck turned to his daughter: “My child,” he called,
“That thing over there is scary and mean,
He’s dangerous! He’d like to eat us all.
If he so much as touches you, you’ll always be unclean.”
“He’s ugly.” Said the pig.
“He’s disgusting.” Said the chicken.
“He’s dangerous.” Said the cow.
“He’s unwanted.” Said the goat.
Just then the baby duck spoke.
“Daddy, you said the birdy wasn’t clean.
So if he dips in his face and it starts to soak
Our water will be gross and obscene.”
“He’s right.” Clucked the chicken,
“Our water must not go to waste.