A Tale of the Porcupines*

The frigid winter was colder than ever.

The porcupines, both young and old,

Were deeply concerned, for animal friends

Were dying because of the bitter cold.

 

Therefore, they decided that

It would behoove them all to form

A close-knit group. Huddled together,

They could keep one another warm.

 

It seemed like a good idea at first,

But then they agreed with unanimity

That being so close was not working out:

Their quills pricked porcupines in proximity.

 

But later they learned that separated,

They were worse off, for no denying,

Unable to keep one another warm,

The freezing porcupines were dying.

 

If they planned to survive the winter,

They had to act, and so they decided

That being banded together was more

Beneficial than being divided.

 

And so they grouped together again,

Realizing that they could endure

The little jabs from the others' quills,

But they would survive the winter for sure.

 

The moral: when we look at life

And consider all our interconnections,

It's best if we can learn to live

With one another's imperfections.

 

Another way to look at the story:

Life can be painful, but we should strive

To put up with all the pricks in life

If we truly want to survive.

 

-by Bob B (1-20-20)

*A popular tale (author unknown) retold here in verse