The morning that the world began <br />The Lion growled a growl at Man. <br /> <br />And I suspect the Lion might <br />(If he'd been closer) have tried a bite. <br /> <br />I think that's as it ought to be <br />And not as it was taught to me. <br /> <br />I think the Lion has a right <br />To growl a growl and bite a bite. <br /> <br />And if the Lion bothered Adam, <br />He should have growled right back at 'im. <br /> <br />The way to treat a Lion right <br />Is growl for growl and bite for bite. <br /> <br />True, the Lion is better fit <br />For biting than for being bit. <br /> <br />But if you look him in the eye <br />You'll find the Lion's rather shy. <br /> <br />He really wants someone to pet him. <br />The trouble is: his teeth won't let him. <br /> <br />He has a heart of gold beneath <br />But the Lion just can't trust his teeth.<br /><br />John Ciardi<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/why-nobody-pets-the-lion-at-the-zoo/
