Once upon a time there lived <br />A hungry worm so lean and small, <br />Who searched within the garden <br />Looking for some food to eat, <br />He came across an apple tree <br />And saw the fruit upon the boughs, <br />Each one was scarlet red and shone <br />And looked so lush and sweet. <br /> <br />He slowly climbed the mossy trunk <br />Then crawled along the twisted branch, <br />Where apples hung amongst the leaves <br />As if they were entwined, <br />He said 'Which apple shall I eat? <br />'For each one looks the same to me <br />I'll have to try each one in turn <br />I can't make up my mind.' <br /> <br />The first he met was large and round <br />Through which he bored a tiny hole, <br />And yet he soon came out because <br />That apple tasted sour, <br />'That wasn't nice at all! ' he said <br />Whilst spitting out the bit he'd chewed, <br />'I'll have to find a nicer one <br />I'm able to devour.' <br /> <br />And so he crawled unto the next <br />'I'll take a bite of you instead, ' <br />And yet it was so hard and tough <br />He nearly broke his jaw, <br />'Ow! ' he cried in desperate pain <br />'That hurt me! ' So he carried on, <br />Along the branch not knowing <br />What the future held in store. <br /> <br />A blackbird pecked the next with glee <br />And saw the worm as he approached, <br />He paused for just a moment <br />Then the blackbird sternly said, <br />'This apple's mine so go away <br />And find another of your own, <br />Just head upon your way or else <br />I'll eat you up instead! ' <br /> <br />The last he saw was full of holes <br />'I do not fancy that, ' he said, <br />And yet a voice from deep inside <br />Said 'Join us at the core, ' <br />He took a bite it tasted sweet <br />Then saw his friends all feeding there, <br />And they ate and ate throughout the day <br />Till they could eat no more.<br /><br />ANDREW BLAKEMORE<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-apple-and-the-worm/
