Young Writers Society

There once lived a snake
who was called Fred.
He lived near a lake,
And was underfed.

He wished he could eat
all the frogs in the grass,
But was weak to compete
with the frog class.

So he went to the frog king
who was Reg, by name.
He was a vain being,
the snake's friend, he became.

The queen, known as Meg,
disapproved of the choice.
She was the mother of Greg
and had a pretty voice.

'Oh my king!' she said,
'What relation is this?
It fills me with dread,
I know something's amiss!

But the king ignored her
and introduced the snake,
to all his children, ma'ams and sirs
and they sat and had cake.

Soon, the snake came to live
with the frogs in the grass
and asked the king to give
food for his daily pass.

Now the king had taken
many favours from the snake
and was thoroughly shaken
by the request he did make!

So he let the snake eat,
a couple of frogs a day,
to make his ends meet
and so he had his way.

Fred ate not two but more
of his share of food.
He was much joyous than before,
and he felt really good.

Now he'd finished eating
all the frogs present,
and was just completing
his meal with a stray rodent.

So he went to the king
who pleaded for his life.
All his subjects dying
had left him in utter strife.

The snake simply said
'Your life is vital to you.
But I hate to be underfed,
my hunger is important too!'

And so saying, the wily snake
gobbled up his meal,
and slithered off to make
with more animals, deals.

So which is right to you?
One's life, or one's food?
Did the snake lose his virtue?
Did he really play no good?

Did he really do wrong?
By eating his rightly meal?
By fulfilling his needs and wants?
What do you feel?