Based on an old, unattributed joke...

Now a farmer by name of Tomp
Wanted a cockerel for his farm
And he bought a wiry bantam
Small, but full of charm.

He placed him with the bantam hens
And when the sun rose o'er his stead
The cockerel stood there proud,
And the hens, from exhaustion, lay dead.

Tomp at first was angry
But his mistake he soon realised
And he placed the little bantam
With hens that were full sized

Next morning brought the same result
The bantam was unfazed
The chickens lying, all stone dead
Apart from one, which was quite dazed.

Tomp could not control his rage
He took the little chap
And threw him in with the farmyard geese
And settled for a nap.

He awoke to a terrible noise
And rushed to the goose pen's side
Where all was still and quiet
And yes, all the geese had died.

The bantam lay a little way off
Eyes closed in the sleep of the dead
Wings a-crossed on his motionless chest
While a vulture flew overhead.

Picking up the bantam in deepest shame
Tomp gave a little cry
Which turned into a high pitched yelp
When the bantam opened one eye.

The bantam sighed and looked skyward
Then gave the farmer a stare
And said, "If you'd left me five minutes more
I'd have had that minx up there!"




Penned by my hand on the 23rd of Mayan, in the year 397 AF.