The Hare’s Friends (Aesop)

The sun above the hills did rise
And filled with light the morning skies.

The hare awoke and hopped away
To visit all her friends that day.

And nearly all did call her “friend,”
As she did daily greetings send.

But on this morn, a sound she heard
That startled ev’ry beast and bird.

The hounds were loose to run and play.
And now with speed did come her way.

The hounds were known to eat a hare,
If any were caught unaware.

And so the hare her friends did seek,
To save her from a fate quite bleak.

First, to the horse she made her plea;
“Please take e on your back to flee!”

But he said, “I have chores today,
And cannot with you go away.

But you have many friends, it’s true,
And they should all give aid to you.”

Then to the bull she ran forlorn –
“Please friend, protect me with your horn!”

The bull replied, “You’ve come too late.
I have to leave now for a date.

And for the timing I regret …
The goat will help you out, I bet.”

The goat did also help decline,
For if the hare rode on his spine,

She might slip off (as she’s so small)
And suffer quite an awful fall.

And so he said, “I’m sorry ma’am,
I think you’d better ask the ram.”

Then to the ram her case she plead.
But in a fearful voice he said;

“While help I’d like to offer you,
Hounds have been known to eat sheep too.

And so, although I sympathize,
I do not think it would be wise.”

Now to the calf she did report,
Appealing as a last resort.

The calf said, “I am quite concerned,
As all the beasts your cries have spurned.

I really don’t like to decide,
I think I’ll with the others side.

They’re older, and know more than I.
I wish you well my friend, goodbye.”

With barking hounds now close at hand,
The hare alone did tearful stand.

With no real friends to save the day;
To save her life, she ran away.

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If many friends you have to call,
In truth, you may have none at all.