The A*s in the Lion's Skin: An Aesop Tale Retold in Verse

Wandering down the road an a*s

Encountered a lion's skin.

He dressed himself up in it

Without an ounce of chagrin.

 

Frightening all creatures who saw him--

Animals and humans, as well--

The a*s stifled his braying and watched

As they all ran off pell-mell.

 

Finally, unable to hold it in,

He brayed some laud "Hee-haws!"

The fox heard him and also happened

To notice his hooves--not paws.

 

"Well, my friend, if I'd only seen you,

I might have been afraid.

But now that I've heard you speak, you can

Dispense with your charade."

 

The moral? Clothes can disguise many fools,

But despite their fancy array,

When they open their mouths--Yikes!--

Their words give them away.

Or

You can put on fancy airs,

Pretending you're suave and urbane,

But if you are truly an a*s at heart,

An a*s you will remain.

 

(5-17-15)

 

Reviews

[Terpsichore]

I know a couple (or more,) of politicians. Without exception, on the surface at least, they all start out with the best of intentions, but once their little snouts are in the trough, off comes the disguise and there's no stopping them. T