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A Friend
for Simeon
by Hilary Williamson
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The smallest skunk had a problem
It made him feel unwell
For white-striped little Simeon
Could not control his smell |
Sim's home was a giant rock pile
In a clearing leafy and dim
His parents, aunts, uncles and cousins,
Were all of them snarling at him |
For if a skunk is troubled
Then as fast as you can blink
He'll hump his back and lift his tail
And squirt out a terrible stink |
Simeon sprayed far too often
When happy or grumpy or sad
Just get him a little excited
And you'd soon be sorry you had |
They sent Sim away from the den
For here is a secret, don't tell -
Skunks always spray when they're startled
But they don't really like their own smell |
Sad Simeon was on his own
Slowly scratching a flea
When prickly Persephone porcupine
Clambered down from her tree |
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Sim was so shocked he humped his back,
And squirted past her ear
Perse went on guard and lashed out hard
A quill stuck in his rear |
It hooked into his bushy tail
Perse turned her head to see
Sim stopped his spray and seemed to say
'Why did you shoot at me?' |
They both began to back away
Growling as they glared:
'I only spray 'cause I'm frightened'
'I only loose quills 'cause I'm scared' |
Persephone pulled the quill out
Herbs helped remove the stink
They slinked to a stream together
And there they shared a drink |
Now they scamper through the woods
Happy as sister and brother
They play together, but always take care
Never to startle each other |
So if you're up at dawn's first light
Or going to bed with the sun
Look outside - can you see a skunk
And a porcupine having fun? |
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The End
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Did you know that skunks
stamp their front feet when they're
angry, and that porcupines don't actually throw their quills?
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