While sunning on the banks one day, to the crocodile’s surprise
A mouse stepped in between his teeth, right before his eyes
Down slammed the lightning jaws upon the mouse, and how they gleamed!
Impossibly fast, a perfect grasp, and poor the outlook seemed
Looked 'round the victim worriedly, now facing certain doom
But clever, thought so hurriedly, not fond of such a tomb
Good thing was walking by just then a mongoose, lucky day!
And so slyly called aloud the mouse in a dignifying way
"Ahoy there, fearless mongoose! Come meet a friend of mine!”
And addressing hesitation ... "Oh can’t you see I’m fine?”
So when came close the mongoose (Indeed a tempting sight!)
The crocodile smiled wider, and took a bigger bite
Down slammed the lightning jaws upon the mongoose oh so quick
And free, the mouse sighed, "Hopefully you’ll find someone else to trick!"
Looked 'round the victim worriedly, now facing certain doom
But clever, thought so hurriedly, not fond of such a tomb
Good thing was walking by just then an antelope alone
And so called out the mongoose in a most delightful tone
"Dear antelope come quickly now! Come meet a friend of mine!"
And quelling all uneasiness ... "Oh can't you see I’m fine?"
So when came close the antelope (Indeed a savory sight!)
The crocodile smiled wider, and took a bigger bite
Down slammed the lightning jaws upon the antelope, not cool!
And free, the mongoose jumped, "Goodbye! I hope you find a fool!"
Looked 'round the victim worriedly, now facing certain doom
But clever, thought so hurriedly, not fond of such a tomb
Good thing was walking by just then a wildebeest, no herd
And so exclaimed the antelope with a sweet, enticing word
"Oh dark and handsome wildebeest! Come meet a friend of mine!"
And soothing all suspicion, then, "Oh can’t you see I’m fine?”
So when came close the wildebeest (Indeed a sapid sight!)
The crocodile smiled wider, and took a bigger bite
Down slammed the lightning jaws upon the wildebeest, the end!
And free the antelope ran laughing, "Good luck to you my friend!"
Looked 'round the victim worriedly, now facing certain doom
But clever, thought so hurriedly, not fond of such a tomb
Good thing was standing by just then a rhino in the grass
And so called out the wildebeest, polite with naught but class
"Oh hey big grey, to you good day! Come meet a friend of mine!"
And taming second thoughts threw in, "Oh can't you see I'm fine?”
So when came close the rhino (A most delicious sight!)
The crocodile smiled wider, and took a bigger bite
Down slammed the lightning jaws upon the rhino very strong
And free the wildebeest was up with glee, “It’s best I move along!”
But the rhino noticed nothing as the crocodile so tugged
“Perhaps just a mosquito,” said the rhino as he shrugged
The crocodile so tried but after while he was retired
Returning to the water dark with nothing he desired
A lesson learned forever, and so all the wild must know ...
Tread lightly near the river, for now the crocodile never lets go!