Foxes

Finn the fox sat down weary and sad

The memories of hunting that once he had

Were fading and getting hard to recall

His fur was patchy and he was feeling the cold

'I have little time left for my tales to be told

Once I was ‘Finn the Leader, and Finn the Claw’

Now I spend time flicking flies off  my paws.'

Just then two fox cubs stopped by on a path

And listened to stories and tales of his past

'Would you like to hear a song long ago sung

To my brother foxes when they were young?'

The cubs sat still and I started to growl

And arching my neck I let out a howl.

The sound I once made at night when I prowled

'Although I am weak and my eyes have grown dim

I still recall days when I would go out and swim

Until I grew older and fear replaced fun

So this tale I will tell you is scary and grim.

See those woods behind you where I used to run

One day a farmer appeared  holding a gun

He shot and bullets ricocheted off the trees

They whizzed past my nose my ears and my knees

But he missed  and that made him rant and rage

Running round like an angry rat in a cage

Shouting and cursing and obviously furious

Other foxes showed up clearly quite curious

'I'll get you and stick your head on my wall

Until you foxes are gone once and for all.'

He blamed me for stealing his chickens  at night

Even though I stayed away and kept out of sight

He accused me when his wheat stalks were broken

And gathered more farmers when harsh words were spoken

So, I led him to dense woods and far away places,

Where he was likely to trip over his untied shoelaces

And run out of bullets and become very frustrated

But I knew he would not give up so I hid and I waited

Convinced he was cruel and how much I was hated

So I wasn't surprised when I saw one by one

Dogs started to gather and  I knew something was wrong

Beagles and bloodhounds began sniffing around.

I heard the man shout out 'you'll all soon all be found.'

It was then my family had to hide underground

Hunting dogs, I told them are trained and skilful

They are taught to be clever sneaky and wilful

They sniff out our scent and howl to their masters

So, it was vital that I didn't let them get past us.

I told them to keep close and work as a team

Burrow deep in the ground or find a river or stream

Until the dogs lost hope or ran out of steam.

Night after day they kept hunting for prey

They barked and slobbered and were determined to stay

We had no path to take and no means of escape

Then I had an idea and we all rolled in the soil

It disguised our scent and their plans were foiled

The dogs were whining  and starting to  fret

But the noise was making my cubs feel upset.

That's when I decided to sing a short song

And hope we would be free and it wouldn't be long.

So, you might want to learn it and use it one day

When two legged humans regard you as prey

Because you are small and your future is bleak

Don't forget  they are bullies and many will seek

To hurt anything smaller feeble and weak.

"IN DAYS PAST THERE USED TO BE

  A FARMER WHO CAME AFTER ME

  HE FOLLOWED ME WITH A LOADED GUN

  AND SHOT THREE BULLETS ONE BY ONE

HIS AIM WAS POOR AND EACH ONE MISSED

BUT SOON THERE WAS A BITTER TWIST

WHEN HUNTING DOGS NEARLY HURT US

BUT FINN THE FOX WAS THE SMARTEST

HE LED THEM THERE HE LED THEM HERE

UNTIL FOXES SAFELY DISAPPEARED

SO REMEMBER, DOGS LOOK OUT FOR CLUES

STAY TOGETHER AND YOU WILL NOT LOSE"

The two cubs sat still  staring starry-eyed

As the hair grew grey on Finn's back and side

'How many years old do you think he must be?'

As they watched the old fox fall slowly asleep.

'We will always remember you as Finn the Claw

The fox who saved his family and we are sure

In every den your song will last for evermore.'