Mr. Cotter

Raised in the hills, self taught hunting skills, dirt poor

Out for game, bringing home dinner his aim, the forest he did explore

Asleep curled in a ball a panther very small. I'll take it home he thought

Grabbing hold he found it to be over a year old, more fight than he sought

He and that panther all over the hill, gathering all his will, he finally won

Bit and clawed head to toe, the community news did grow, until to town he did run

One man joked and being provoked he said "next man speaks will have to put me down"

No longer did they tease, not wanting to displease a man of his renown  

Author's Note

My great grandfather was from 'Tennessee and told this tale about a man that lived by him in the mid 1800's