Samuel the Lemming

 

Samuel the lemming went down to the sea

To see what that young lemming could see.

And when he got there what could he see?

More sea is what he could see.

The sea, you see, is large and flat

Its big and blue, that’s just a fact.

Samuel the lemming picked up his paws

And jauntily sauntered back in‑doors,

From where within, not without

He could not see sea; he could see nowt.

Save his dad and sister bemused

Waiting for him for all of his news.

To quiz him, to ask him, deliberately

Questions and queries about what he did see.

For Samuel was lucky, Samuel was well effectual

He was a rare thing, a lemming intellectual.

Tasked with the duty of viewing the sea

His job was to feedback just what he did see.

Was it, as told, all bumpy and gold

Or was it, like cheese, all crumbly with mould?

For lemmings only had written history

Of what it looked like, literally.

For no lemming, still alive, had ever

Seen it and survived.

For lemming‑like, every other year

They all would leave and disappear.

None would emerge to tell the story

Of what it looked like in all its glory.

Until that is, just last year

When Samuel lemming volunteered

To go down unto the sea

And report back to his family.

With baited breath he began to talk

His family listened to what he taught.

Tell us son, what occurred?

Explain its looks without demur.

Was it gold or brightly coloured?

Lumpy or bumpy, did you discover?

Sam began to speak, a hush it fell.

I've seen the sea, of it I'll tell.

It's blue, it's big and very flat.

It's wet and wavy and that is that.

Is that all his folks did cry?

So it's not gold? It's not dry?

Nope, it's as I said, it's not that way.

Not small and red. And that's all I’ll say.

Thus spake his dad. Well done my son

You're quite a lad, you're very brave

You're sound even when you misbehave!

Your explanation is quite compelling 

You’re truly a well‑informed young lemming.