Ballad of a Fox and Lion

Pukar Dhital

Creation, we know is mysterious
And so is this tale which I am about to tell.

So long before you and I had known
There existed friendship hitherto unknown!
When a lion and a fox reined a land
Long back in the beginning of time!

Here begins the story ages old
So hear it from me for I have known:

You see—
A lion is a lion and a fox is a fox
And lo, the two befriend!
Rather peculiar it may seem
But nature in her secretive way
Consents the two to rein!

You might inquire, ‘How’s it possible?
For a lion is a lion and a fox is a fox.
It is lion, the King
And in what hideous way could it be a match to a fox
That barks and howls?
But trust me my friends, you might find it hard to believe
But the two befriend!

Well not that the fox pretended to be a lion
Or the lion acted like a fox!
Nor were they imposters
And were content with their selves.

To add to the mystery, the fox falls in love—
With the lioness, so beautiful with a golden fur!
The fox tells his feelings to his good friend,
The lion listens but also ignores—
A call from inside that says to him, ‘Bear him no more!’

In his heart, however, the lion had known,
Yes, he had known—
For there had been times when their glances had met and both had avowed
But the lion ignores, for he knew his friend has made an approach!

So begins the fox’s series of wooing
His mentor—the lion!
Who has known what lioness seeks?
And how is it that her heart could be reached?

The lioness was but alone—
Her family predeceased long back­—somewhere in the wild!
Nature was harsh on her but she had ignored!
She survived and had learned to smile, love, live and thrive
In what she believed a beautiful world!

Lonely she was but beautiful; strong yet vulnerable!
In spite of all she had learned to love—and that she did to everyone around
Indeed, she was a lioness with a golden heart.

The lioness thought the fox was funny
For he barks and howls and hollers!
They wandered around a couple of times
And the fox thought his love had begun!

The time was right and the fox said with all his might
That he had given his heart to the lioness—the golden beauty!
She smiled and laughed and she had liked him for what he was—
Befriending was good but love—an objection!

The fox persisted, insisted and pleaded
A lioness she was and her vision pristine, befriending was good
But love—out of question!
The fox thought he had truly loved
Or love was it?

The fox had known she was lonely
And taunted her when she met any!
He tried to pursue he alone could afford her all the company!
But when this or that or that or this and nothing worked out,
It were perpetual curses he vented aloud—
To that golden beauty!

The lion hadn’t liked this
For he knew love could never shower a curse,
Patience he was—for he knew nature would take her toll!
And the fox would eventually be left on his course!

Nature—you see, has her own ways
And one day, created a stage!
She turned gloomy, dark and stormy
With thundering clouds above
Lightning struck every bit of earth!

The fox had gone deep into his burrow,
But the lion noticed the lioness out in the open—vulnerable!
And so did she, the lion in the open—alone and majestic.
So they sprang toward each other
Both wanted to protect one another!

They met, they embraced, and they ran
Together they dodged the lightning
They ducked the storm
And rolled in a thunder!
So they dodged, ducked, and rolled
It was a part of cosmic dance worthy to behold!

But the fox had seen the inevitable
From the depth of his burrow!
Nature had done her course and the storm subsided
But not to the fox;
His heart burned and his mind churned!

He stood out to the lioness and told her—the lion was a monster,
“Monster he is,” the lioness replied, “if he is to deal with imposters!”
From a distance, he spoke to the lion—told him to keep away from his love!
The lion approached the lioness and asked bluntly
If there was anything between the two?
For he did not intend to intervene!

If that were the case, he would be happily off
But if it was not then he sought to be in love
As long as they were on earth!

The lioness embraced and kissed in joy,
“No never! The fox I thought was my friend
But never imagined he would act insane
So I let him be in his profanation
I accept you as my beloved not just in this life but beyond what remains!”

The two kissed and embraced
and their love revered!
For it was nature that had acted
To bring the two hearts and souls into play!

The fox tried to speak out from the distance
And the lion roared with fiery eyes!
The fox held his tongue,
The fox swore never to befriend the lion again
And off he went yelping and howling!

So you see—
Since then foxes and lions don’t get along!
And they make sure to keep distance from the lions
Still foxes haven’t forgotten to howl and holler!
And when the lions see the foxes they still roar!

Through this tale, let it be known—
Befriending a cunning friend would never give one a sore!

[A teacher of English literature for the past eight years, Pukar Dhital is a student of philosophy, literature and international affairs. An avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction, he writes in various genres as a freelancer and profoundly adheres to the principal of independent self and lifelong learning.]