(Based on a story by an unknown writer)

In Africa, at the outskirts of a dense forest, 

Were two huge farms with a history bitterest

Farm owners both were descendents

Of two families who for years had fought with vengeance

Over the rightful ownership of disputed land

Bad blood had flowed all these decades, hard to understand

In this forest, rifle in hand, Harry Jones moved with a zing

Trespassing into enemy land owned by John Manning

To shoot a wild boar or a gazelle or perhaps a buffalo

John Manning had an inkling of his enemy’s intentions though

He watched intently with a rifle ready to fire, just incase

Then suddenly they found themselves face to face

Over their faces writ large was hate bitter

But how could they shoot without first getting involved in a chatter?

Each of them vented their hatred with choicest words of interaction

But before they could convert words into cruel action

They heard a loud screeching sound overhead

A huge Mahogany tree came crashing on the ground, dead

John Manning when he came into his senses

Found himself pinned to the ground with big branches

Impossible it was to wrest himself clear of the hindrance

Looking sideways, saw Harry at a short distance

Pinning him down were weighty branches as well

Closed were his eyes because of bleeding, he looked unwell

John called him, ‘Good, my men will soon come, remove my hindrance

‘They will rescue me and we will leave you to die, good riddance!’

‘My men are also in the forest, John; they will surely save me instead

‘We will place this log on top of you, your men will find you dead’

And both men shouted at each other some more

Till they physically got tired and shaken to the core

It was getting cold, evening was setting in, oh dear!

John somehow managed to wriggle his hands clear

And from his pocket pulled out a bottle 

He had a sip and got relief, incredible!

Over his disturbed mind, a calmness spread fast

He looked at Harry, felt pity for him at last

‘Here, take some of this drink, Harry, good it will be for you, buddy!’

 ‘I do not accept a drink from my enemy!’

‘Harry! Strength we will not get from this hate, to escape this mess

It is a lousy source in creating within us stress’

After a long silence, Harry had a volte face in his attitude, so rare!

‘John, you are right, with this abhorrence we are going nowhere 

Let us forget and forgive, let bygone be bygone

Let our families join forces for the beginning of a new dawn

The villagers around are eager for us to unite

The future of our neighborhood will shine bright

John suggested efforts to attract attention of their men with a yelp

So in one voice both of them shouted, ‘Help!’

Their voices went in all directions and echoed back too

Both men strained their ears to listen to any positive clue

Of a rescue team approaching them in this grim situation

No positive signs yet, they once again shouted in unison

Harry could not see properly but he could faintly hear

Feet pounding on the undergrowth of the forest, not near

He was the first to react, ‘Yes, yes! Help is coming our way!

‘John, can you see the men? How many are they?

‘If they are seven they are my guys then’

With shaking voice John blurted ‘They are wolves, not men’

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