THE LIZARD

THE LIZARD

Think of all the good works you’ve done

And every one you alone had served

Not the ones you were paid a token for

But from that which can not be repaid

When the lizard falls from a tall Iroko tree

And slaps its belly flat on the ground

It lies still to savour the penetrating pains

Expecting praises and cheers of bravo

It looks right and left to see who was there

When no one seems to take any notice of him

He nods his head to praise himself

As a way to be consoled and encouraged

The monkey is a master in jumping around

As he moves from one tree to another

Making the game to look like child’s play

And leaving you amazed with such a feat

How did the lizard, to such a height, climb

Even the monkey misses its masterly catch

Not to talk of the family of the Agamas

Let not your achievement swell you up

To boast in pride is not the way to go

To reward your selfless acts to serve

By nodding your head all the time you fall

Or whenever you have done some good

When a proud lizard wants to die

Let him jump into the river of time

He will realise, with the speed of the current

That he is a lizard and not a crocodile