The Jackdaw and the Earthworm.

I never write anything to order, but I had a request from a beautiful young woman, and to decline any request from such a source would also be alien to my nature. Conflict ensued, but the beautiful young woman won. Just this once!

It isn’t very good, but it was the best I could manage on a dolorous day.

Two jackdaws went a-searching

For food one summer’s day,

When they came upon an earthworm

As upon the road it lay

‘Success at last, some dinner,’

Said the male bird to his mate.

‘For the god of crows is generous

And has served it on a plate’

‘No, no,’ said Mrs Jackdaw,

‘That's no way to behave.

He's scorched and dehydrated

And a rescue does he crave’

‘Methinks we’ll show a favour

To this poor benighted worm.

Yon lad, has suffered quite enough

On concrete hot and firm.’

And then she took the earthworm

So gently in her beak

And laid him down in dewy grass

Cool water there to seek

And so the happy earthworm

With skin all cold and wet

Made for himself a burrow

Where he lives an earthworm yet.