A lion had his eye on three bulls
That grazed in a farmer's grassy field.
Being close together always
Provided them with a safety shield.

The lion longed to capture them
And eat them up with utmost joy,
But due to their strength in unity,
He desperately needed a ploy.

His plan: to whisper damaging gossip
Among the bulls to make them suspicious
Of one another. And we all know
That gossipers can be malicious.

The lion's strategy worked like a charm--
Just as he had anticipated.
Each of the bulls grew to dislike
The others, and thus they separated.

The field was large enough that each
Could graze alone in a different section.
Of course, since they were on their own,
They no longer had the same protection.

Then the lion moved in on the three,
Eating them one by one, which shows
That quarrels among friends provide
Opportunities for foes.

By the way, if the lion
Devoured all three, he HAD to be full.
Can a lion be that famished?
Or do you think it's a lot of bull?

-by Bob B (8-24-21)

°An Aesop fable, "The Lion and the Bulls," retold here in verse