The Parable of the Lemurs
A chimpanzee, with staff in hand,
Did wander to a distant land
Through deserts dry and rivers' soak,
And stumbled on the lemur folk.
Enduring then their leering eyes
(Accounting for his maskless guise),
He sat upon a nearby hill
To view their work and gauge their skill.
But, pressed, instead did he peruse
For lemur-ways did him bemuse:
Beneath the sun they baked and toiled,
Then empty bellies later foiled
As they deposited their fruit,
Leaving naught of grape or root,
Into piles beneath the eyes
Of one who did but supervise.
The chimp in wonder did approach
The fruit-pickers, their acts to broach:
"Why surrender all," he said,
"To he who only rests his head?"
Said lemurs, "Fool from far away,
"There is no worth in what you say.
"That lemur duly is enthroned:
"This grove of trees by him is owned.
"Fruit-bearing trees we haven't got,
"So pick and place, then, is our lot.
"If wanted we some fruit for free,
"Could then we not procure a tree?"
The chimp replied: "May you procure?"
Said lemurs: "We cannot endure!
"You speak with folly, stranger beast,
"And interrupt our meager feast.
"To earn a tree the one forbade,
"For we have so few fruits to trade."
Said chimp: "Then cloister fruits you pick."
Said lemurs: "Crime! You make us sick."
Said chimp: "Your ranks are fit and great.
"Why not advance, and seal his fate?"
Said lemurs: "Nonsense from your maw!
"Are we to disrespect our law?"
Said chimp: "The law is borne from whom?"
"The one," said lemurs, wearing gloom.
Seeing then he'd worn his stay,
The chimp departed late that day.
In his own land his mates inquired,
Noting him careworn and tired.
Said he: "Alas! Don't go abroad.
"What baffling folk; what mortal god!"