The Rooster and the Raven

The Raven came along every morning 

Hungry as ever and tired from flight 

He landed right on the chicken coop 

To see what he could see 

The Rooster patiently awaited the Raven 

To hear stories of adventure 

To learn of places far beyond his reach 

"And what new lands did you discover 

On your great long flight 

Tell me of all the sights you saw 

Of all the beauty I will never see" 

The Rooster was as curious as he could be 

"I saw foreign lands where 

Food was so much in abundance 

Children ate all they could eat 

I saw lands where it was so scarce 

That a brother killed his brother 

Over the tiniest of crumbs" 

"Oh the sights I could see if only I had your wings" 

The Rooster said with great excitement 

"Why do you want to be like me 

Your food is always served 

And your roof never leaks 

You are safe and you never have to leave"

The Raven sternly questioned 

"Oh I'd give it all up just to have your wings! 

Just imagine where I could go! 

All that I could see!" 

"Oh you silly, Rooster! I'd give my wings today

If only to be fed, warm, and safe!" 

And at that moment  

A lightning so piercing and strong 

From the sky descended 

Upon the Raven and the Rooster

And when it was over 

The Rooster was the Raven 

And the Raven was the Rooster 

So that curious Rooster 

While in the Raven's body 

Flew until he could fly no more 

He saw foreign lands he never knew existed 

He saw things and people 

And was almost shot twice 

All the while the Raven in the Rooster's body 

Ate all the food that he could eat 

Until he could eat no more

He spend many a nights under a safe and warm roof 

And basked in the sun every afternoon 

But be as it may 

Who can ever be satisfied for ever 

For the Rooster in the Raven's body 

Hungry and tired as ever 

Came upon the roof of the coop 

And the Raven in the Rooster's body 

Greeted him without excitement 

So they each complained 

They missed their life before 

They each wanted what they once had 

But a lightning so powerful and mighty 

Never did strike 

So if you see a Rooster it may really be a Raven 

And if you see a Raven it may really be a Rooster 

Reviews

[Stacy Purvis]

Precarious situation, eh?
Love this story. It definitely peaked my interest. Thank you for sharing. :)))

[light and ashes]

An interesting twist of fate! "So if you see a Rooster it may really be a Raven, and if you see a Raven it may really be a Rooster." I liked this.

[biggerthenu]

Awesome story. Even better message. Thanks for creating suck a jewel.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

Its amazing how someone else's life seems more interesting than our own. I guess this is the secret of reality tv. Anyways, the wisdom in this poem was inspiring, but the pictures you painted along with your artistic touch and the suspense of all causes the wisdom to sneak up on a person. Very clever. Great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[EMMIE]

Appreciate that, thank you!

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story. It is old fashion wisdom. Most people want to be someone else. Someone else life could disappoint you. I liked the trade and the need to return to the original state. Thank you Emmie for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[EMMIE]

Thank YOU!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Emmie.

[Avinash]

Loved this fable. An animation can be made on it.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

And it seems the moral should be...be happy with your own lot...even if it has a fence around it. (laughing) This was a delightful lark, very much enjoyed.

[EMMIE]

Thank You! =)

[Rain]

'The grass is always greener', I guess- I like this story.

[EMMIE]

Lol right! Thank you!