Wolfy

Everyone in the whole kingdom agreed,
That the Big Bad Wolf just had to leave.
"He's BIG and BAD and MEAN and TOUGH,
We fairytale friends have had enough!"

Little Bow Peep won't stroll in the park.
All the King's men are afraid of the dark.
Remember that sweet old Gingerbread man?
He's tired of running as fast as he can.

Bah Bah Black Sheep lives in dread,
That he'll be gobbled up in bed.
And the Three Little Pigs will stand for nothing,
Like stinky Wolf breath or huffing and puffing.

So they asked advice from someone Good,
(You may remember, Miss Riding Hood?)
And brave Little Red set a trap to lure,
That Big Bad Wolf right back to her.

In a handwritten note she promised him sweets,
Like cookies and candies, fruits and treats.
"Come to my house at twelve o'clock,
And I will leave the door unlocked."

Now, poor Mr. Wolf, it must be said,
Was sad and sick and nearly dead.
But when he got Red's kindly note,
It brought a lump to his dry throat.

Wolfy thought, "It's so very exciting,
That Red should do such kind inviting!"
"Oh dear," thought he, quite scared and shy.
"Will there be friends and gooseberry pie?"

He pulled a comb through mangy hair.
"I'll need a clean white shirt to wear."
He brushed his teeth—there were just two,
(Which made it very hard to chew.)

And shuffling across the forest floor,
He softly opened the cottage door.
Then BAM! Red grabbed him from behind,
While Grandma tied him up in twine!

All the fairytale creatures gathered 'round,
To see the Wolf— now safely bound.
They yelled at him, right in his ear,
"You're BIG! You're BAD! You can't stay HERE!"

Everyone hollered—except Wolfy himself.
(Did I mention he's shy and in very poor health?)
"I'm sorry," he whispered, with a dry little cough.
"If I seemed to be mean or acting too tough."

I was hungry and lonely and not feeling well.
I had no idea it would make you all yell!"
"I'm frightened of pigs. I don't eat gingerbread.
I assure you the sheep are quite safe in their beds.
And all of my huffing and puffing about,
It's just how I breathe—'cause I'm not very stout."

The fairytale friends took a good look at him.
Poor scraggly thing—he was very thin.
Living alone with no Wolf mom or dad.
Perhaps he wasn't so BIG or so BAD.

Then Red spoke up and the whole group agreed,
"My dear Mr. Wolf, you ought to be freed!
We're terribly sorry you've been all alone,
With no Birthday cards, or chats on the phone."

"Pleeease" squealed the Pigs, "Won't you come dine?
I'm sure that our brick house will hold up just fine."
"And this is for you," said Bah Bah Black Sheep.
Handing the Wolf his wool coat—to keep!

Wolfy could hardly believe his own Great Big Ears.
His Great Big Eyes filled with Great Big Tears.
And wrapped inside the Sheep's snuggly skin,
He allowed himself ...one Wolfish grin.

The End




©2005 Mary Clasen