I was reading Mimekor Yisrael, Micha bin Gorion’s collection of folktales, and came across a story. Its introductory text says the original was written in verse. I don’t know if it was bin Gorion or the translator, but it was rendered in quite clunky prose. I rewrote it so that it rhymes (and changed the ending). Sharing it here cuz I’m not sure what else to do with it:
Once upon a time, King Solomon had a friend
Who visited every year, just at the end.
One year, the friend brought him gift,
So large that only the strongest could lift.
The king wished to return the favor.
The friend scratched his chin, and said he’d save it for later.
He thought and he stewed.
He ruminated and reviewed.
When he realized how Solomon
Could express gratitude
“My king,” the friend said
“If you’d help me, at least
Teach me the chirping of birds,
The chatter of beasts”
“My friend,” said the king
“I can’t refuse your request.
Yet know what you ask,
May not be for the best.
If you share what you hear
From the chatter of beasts,
Why that very day
You’ll be struck dead—deceased!”
Responded the friend
“Give some wisdom to me.
If God wills me dead,
Then dead I shall be!”
Later he sat,
On the porch with his spouse.
When out came his ox
Passing by the house.
As they tied the ox up
By the ass, his workmate,
The friend heard him sigh
And say “Ass, you ingrate!
I toil and moil
I work and I labor
While you sit on your butt
Enjoying the manger!”
Brayed the ass
“My good ox,
I wish you had ease.
Heed my wise words,
Then do as you please.
Eat nothing tonight.
No straw and no fodder.
Take not one bite
And drink you no water.
Our master will then
Think you are ill.
He won’t yoke a sick beast
And force you to till.”
The king’s friend rose at night
And what did he see?
The ass eating the food
Of the ox, fast asleep
Seeing the trick,
He laughed a great laugh.
His wife, unamused, asked
“Are you simple or daft?!”
“No, my dear wife!”
Said the king’s friend, so fast
“I only remembered,
A joke of the past.”
Next morning he went
And said to his man
“The ox cannot work.
He’s peaky and wan.
Take the donkey instead,
He’s healthy and strong.”
So the donkey was worked
From dawn until dusk.
Working his piece,
And that of the ox.
Ruing his lot,
the ass said with a tear
“Oh ox, I’ve bad news.
You’ll hate it,
I fear.
Out there, in the field,
I heard the men say
‘That ox is no use,
Let’s eat him today.’”
The ox, hearing this,
Arose from his place.
He ran to a bale
And began stuffing his face.
Now the man had heard
The ass and his wiles.
He tried to conceal it,
But his wife saw his smile.
“That’s how you laughed
Last night when I asked!
Don’t tell me this is
But a joke of the past.”
The husband, he begged
He implored and he pled
“Do not ask me, my wife.
Or I’ll surely be dead!”
“Fine,” said the wife
“Then hear as I swear:
Keep your secrets,
I’m leaving!… So there!”
The man tore out his hair,
How he filled with remorse!
The next day would see
His funeral or divorce
So warned the wise Solomon
Our king and high priest
What ills may be borne
From the chatter of beasts!
submitted by /u/topoi
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Source: Reditt
