I walked as part of a caravan
That followed a well known road
Which circled around a tall mountain
Before the nearest village showed.

And I said – "Look, my friends,
I from here spot a crevice,
The mountain has a narrow tunnel
But for men it may suffice."

They laughed at me aloud and said
"Friend – Don’t talk insane,
If there sure was a tunnel,
Would we circle around in vain?"

But I insisted we explored
The dark jungles with a few men
So we could walk shorter
And may have some time to gain.

My words fell on deaf ears
And they left me all alone
They said if I wanted to know
I could go on my own.

I did then branch away
And walked through the thick wood
Soon I reached the mountain base
And my spirits were good

As I entered a small tunnel
And reached its middle at once
I saw ahead the neighboring town
At close walking distance.

Glad I was to see the tunnel
Was large enough for ten fellows
It could pass my men easily
And save their walking woes.

Said I to myself happily
"I knew there was another way!
It is now time to share the news
Without any delay!"

But suddenly it began to rain
And dark became the sky
The light at the tunnel’s end
Dimmed slowly before it died.


I saw the storm wash away
The woods and the trees
Soon flooded became the tunnel
and mountain walls squeezed.

I saw no light, I knew no better
Than to hope for a miracle
Until a fatal burst of wave
In not time had me gobbled.

I saw from above my caravan friends
Thought I was safe in my tunnel shade
Until they heard no more of me
And believed I got strayed.

They forget me soon after
And took the same known road
Every time the passed the tunnel
But to explore they never slowed.

It hurts me not that I met my fate
Alone and untimely a lot
But I am sad that the mountain tunnel
Is yet to cross another thought.