Shiv and the Grasshopper

           Shiv,whopouredtheharvestandmadethewindstoblow,

           Sittingatthedoorwaysofadayoflongago,

           Gavetoeachhisportion,foodandtoilandfate,

           FromtheKingupontheguddeetotheBeggaratthegate.

           Allthingsmadehe—ShivathePreserver.

           Mahadeo!Mahadeo!Hemadeall—

           Thornforthecamel,fodderforthekine,

           Andmother’sheartforsleepyhead,Olittlesonofmine!

           Wheathegavetorichfolk,millettothepoor,

           Brokenscrapsforholymenthatbegfromdoortodoor;

           Battletothetiger,carriontothekite,

           Andragsandbonestowickedwolveswithoutthewallatnight.

           Naughthefoundtoolofty,nonehesawtoolow—

           Parbatibesidehimwatchedthemcomeandgo;

           Thoughttocheatherhusband,turningShivtojest—

           Stolethelittlegrasshopperandhiditinherbreast.

           Soshetrickedhim,ShivathePreserver.

           Mahadeo!Mahadeo!Turnandsee.

           Tallarethecamels,heavyarethekine,

           ButthiswasLeastofLittleThings,Olittlesonofmine!

           Whenthedolewasended,laughinglyshesaid,

           "Master,ofamillionmouths,isnotoneunfed?"

           Laughing,Shivmadeanswer,"Allhavehadtheirpart,

           Evenhe,thelittleone,hidden‘neaththyheart."

           Fromherbreastshepluckedit,Parbatithethief,

           SawtheLeastofLittleThingsgnawedanew-grownleaf!

           Sawandfearedandwondered,makingprayertoShiv,

           Whohathsurelygivenmeattoallthatlive.

           Allthingsmadehe—ShivathePreserver.

           Mahadeo!Mahadeo!Hemadeall—

           Thornforthecamel,fodderforthekine,

           Andmother’sheartforsleepyhead,Olittlesonofmine!