Sunday Kipling

The weather has definitely turned warmer. It's shorts and lightweight shirts.

Happy Easter to you all and may we remember the reason for the Day. Dinner this evening with Sarge and MIL but in the meantime a good hike with Angus, our miracle dog.

I hope this day finds you all with good food and better company.
Six

Divided Destinies

It was an artless Bandar, 

and he danced upon a pine,
And much I wondered how he lived, 

and where the beast might dine,
And many many other things, till, 

o'er my morning smoke,
I slept the sleep of idleness 

and dreamt that Bandar spoke.

He said: "O man of many clothes! 

Sad crawler on the Hills!
Observe, I know not Ranken's shop, 

nor Ranken's monthly bills!
I take no heed to trousers 

or the coats that you call dress;
Nor am I plagued with little cards 

for little drinks at Mess.

"I steal the bunnia's grain 

at morn, at noon and eventide,
(For he is fat and I am spare), 

I roam the mountain side,
I follow no man's carriage, 

and no, never in my life
Have I flirted at Peliti's 

with another Bandar's wife.

"O man of futile fopperies 

unnecessary wraps;
I own no ponies in the hills, 

I drive no tall-wheeled traps.
I buy me not twelve-button gloves, 

'short-sixes' eke, or rings,
Nor do I waste at Hamilton's 

my wealth on 'pretty things.'

"I quarrel with my wife at home, 

we never fight abroad;
But Mrs. B. has grasped the fact 

I am her only lord.
I never heard of fever dumps 

nor debts depress my soul;
And I pity and despise you!" 

Here he pouched my breakfast-roll.

His hide was very mangy 

and his face was very red,
And ever and anon he scratched 

with energy his head.
His manners were not always nice,

but how my spirit cried
To be an artless Bandar 

loose upon the mountain side!

So I answered: -- "Gentle Bandar, 

and inscrutable Decree
Makes thee a gleesome fleasome Thou, 

and me a wretched Me.
Go! Depart in peace, my brother, 

to thy home amid the pine;
Yet forget not once a mortal wished 

to change his lot for thine."