Caught in a trap, a fox escaped
But left his tail behind;
And, though now rather oddly shaped,
Pretended not to mind.
“O foxes all, come follow me!”
He cried, with shrewd intent.
“For look! At last I’m wholly free
Of a great impediment!
“What use are tails? They gather dust,
And are only in the way.
Wise beasts regard them with disgust,
So chew yours off, I pray!”
My friend,” a keen old fox observed,
“You’re tailless not by choice.
He whose self-interest must be served
Barks with the loudest voice!”
