The Fox and the Cat

And so the cat met Mr Fox in the woods one day

And so the cat met Mr Fox in the woods one day,

He's sharp, she thought, and held by all in very high regard,

And so she went to Mr Fox and then presumed to say,

“How’s the world with you good sir? Now that times are hard”

The fox looked down upon the cat with ill disguised disdain,

and noted all her various parts from her whiskers to her tail.

He paused a while, and thought upon, the value of an answer.

“How dare you speak, to such as me, you tabby little mouser”,

said the fox.

“Your place and mine are far apart, your skills bear no comparison,

To such as I, with all my tricks, and cunning by the sack full.

What claim have you, to speak to one, so far above your station?”

“Just the one” the cat replied, modest and respectful”

“Tell me more”, enquired the fox, “of your small achievements”

“To beat the dogs, I climb a tree, and keep a healthy distance!”

“That's all there is?” The fox exclaimed, “from one with such pretensions!”

“Stick with me, I'll show you how, to live to claim a pension”

But then it was a woodsman passed with dogs to do his hunting.

They strained and snarled through savage teeth lustful for the killing.

No time to waste, the cat was off, and scurried up a beech tree.

Mr Fox, prevaricates! 'tween his exit and his entry!

The dogs arrived and cat she cried, “It's time to use your tricks!”

“Show that foxy cunning and the famous foxy schtick”

But the dogs were fast, and then at last, they had him in a corner.

“Oh fox”, said cat, “so much for tricks, so much for foxy honour.

If you were cat, and not so haughty, you'd have upped and fled

Now cats alive and fox, … you be dead.”