Home (Aesop)

When Zeus, the god, his wedding planned,
He sent the news to all the land.

Each creature he did then invite,
That they might share in his delight.

And on that day they all did stand
As witness to the fête so grand.

Except for one, there on the list,
The tortoise had been sorely missed.

So Zeus inquired of the slight,
And where the tortoise was that night.

In meekness did the tortoise say,
“In fact, I stayed at home all day.

I’m sure you had delicious fare,
And everyone was gathered there,

But from my youth, and now full grown,
I’d often rather be alone.

And ‘though it’s not a palace dome,
There’s really no place quite like home.

Perhaps I missed a lovely band,
But I was quite contended.” And,

This answer did not Zeus appease
And so his scepter he did seize.

An edict he did firmly state:
“Forever, from this very date,

Because the tortoise likes to stay
Within her house both night and day,

She’ll carry it upon her back.
And thus, her home she’ll never lack.

And will not offer this excuse,
If summoned once again by Zeus.”

So, as you may know very well,
That’s why a tortoise has a shell.

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‘Though you may ‘round the world roam,
Some peace is only felt at home.