Rabbit's Song

Trickster came a'calling To find a totem here
 To teach the foolish heart of man
 Without installing fear.
 Many came and many went And still the Trickster paused;
 Bear and Cat and Tiger tried but had too many claws.
 Dog and Wolf though wise indeed
 Had teeth t'were quite the fright
 And Owl with his tawny eyes could only see at night.
 "No," the Trickster said at last
 "Teachers, I see many.
 But My way is full of laughter and in you I see not any."
 But beneath the tree where Eagle sat
 Coyote told the tale
 of silly hares cavorting
 In the old country of Wales.
 Raven stared unto the sun
 And Crow sang awful songs
 And Rabbit sat a'listening
 With ears so wondrous long.
 "Aha!" The Trickster danced a dance
 Of joy and vict'ry sweet.
 He laughed a laugh and swooped a swoop
 And landed at their feet.
 "Of all here now," the Trickster said
 "You are the very Beasts!"
 And Rabbit said, "I'm sorry sir
 But of all, we are the least."
 The Trickster smiled and raised a hand
 And spoke: "I have a plan
 The four of you shall help me
 To teach the heart of Man.
 Raven with your love of light
 The Sun you'll steal and soon.
 For the gift of warmth I give to man
 To be the greatest boon.
 And Crow, you silly creature
 Who sings without a voice,
 Teach man of pride and helping
 You really have no choice.
 Coyote my friend, together we'll spin
 Many a tale at night,
 And teach man by our naughtiness
 What really should be right."
 At last He turned to Rabbit
 With a twinkle in his eye
 "You'll be my favorite creature
 And here's the reason why:
 Your eyes are bright, your feet are swift
 Your ears hear round the bend
 And your very simple humbleness
 Will steal the heart of men.
 Together we shall thwart the pains
 The gods do throw to earth
 And turn aside their fiery darts
 With merriment and mirth.
 And when time comes that men forget
 The lessons animals render
 T'will be the humble rabbit
 That mankind will remember."
 And round the Trickster the animals thronged
 The birds and all the beasts
 And humbly bowed to the king they found,
 who thought himself "the least."