Part I

Across the pond among the reeds
A toady croaked aloud
I waved in vain for him to help
me 'gainst the dreadful crowd.

He hardly deigned to look at me
or help me in my plight
Only puff himself up tall
In all his puny height.

The roars now were closing in
I scrambled to escape
The mire of weeds and mud held on
Laughing at my fate.

I left my shoes to fool the fools
Barefoot now I ran
They didn't buy my dear old shoes
But meat from bones to rend.