Geronimo Meets Brian the Lion.

That busy bear Geronimo,

Has got a friend called Brian,

In spite of his appearance,

He’s a very friendly lion.

On the day that Teddy met him,

He was in a dreadful state,

"I’ve had enough!" he muttered,

"No one wants to be my mate!"

"Why’s that then?" asked our Furry Friend,

"You look all right to me,

And everything abut you,

Seems as normal as can be!"

"That’s where you’re wrong!" sighed Brian,

"You see, I’ve lost my growl,

Which makes it quite impossible,

To go out on the prowl."

"As king of all the jungle,

I should be Centre stage,

It gets so very lonely,

Just lying in my cage.

I’d love to be extremely fierce,

And frighten folk away,

But I find I cannot do it,

So it seems I’ve had my day!"

"The others think I’m useless,

And poke such fun at me,

Because although I’m massive,

I’m a pussy cat you see!"

He took the most enormous breath,

And then began to sob,

"I’d better face the truth," he wailed,

"I’m useless at this job!"

"Oh come on!" soothed the kindly Bear,

"You’ve got no need to cry,

Because I’ve had a brainwave,

That I think you ought to try!"

"What is it?" asked the lion,

"I wish that you would tell,

Because from where I’m lying,

Things aren’t going all that well!!

"It’s simple," smiled Geronimo,

You must always be yourself,

Or else this needless worrying,

Will jeopardise your health.

You can’t growl like the others.

But that just makes you unique,

They really haven’t got the right,

To treat you like a freak."

"You might not be aggressive,

But that is no bad thing,

For when you’re sentimental,

Such pleasure you can bring.

Next time someone comes near you,

Behave just like a cat,

Then folk will be bowled over,

I’m pretty sure of that!"

"I’m not so sure," sighed Brian,

"I’ve always been un-cool,

And if I follow your advice,

I ‘ll look a proper fool.

The visitors will giggle,

When they realise I am weak,

There’s no way I can give them,

The scary thrills they seek!"

"So if it’s all the same to you,

I think I’ll just stay here,

For my position in this zoo,

Is sadly all too clear!"

But as he turned to walk away,

A little girl came by,

And instead of looking happy,

All she could do was cry!

"It’s just not fair!" she whispered,

"My Christian name is Kim,

I’m scared of sudden noises,

So my friends all think I’m dim.

I went to stroke a donkey,

But he began to bray,

This made me feel uneasy,

So I had to run away!"

Without any hesitation,

The very plucky lion,

Went over to the little girl,

And giggled "Hi, I’m Brian.

There’s no need to be nervous,

As I’m just a pussy cat,

I like to have my belly rubbed,

When I am lying flat!"

He rolled over on his belly,

And then began to purr,

"My mother used to do this,

Inseparable we were!

We’d spend many happy hours,

Enjoying this daft game,

And I’m sure that if we played it,

Then you’d soon feel the same!"

Kim was a little nervous.

But then she said "Okay,

I really am in need of,

Some light relief today!"

She got down on her hands and knees,

And rubbed the lion’s belly,

"Oh that feels jolly good," he laughed,

"My paws have turned to jelly!"

Soon their happy squeals and giggles,

Could be heard around the zoo,

And in about an hour,

The others joined in too.

Kindly Brian lay there grinning,

As the children stroked his mane,

He purred "This is amazing,

I must do it all again!"

"It seems not everybody,

Wants an animal who roars,

I’m very, very happy,

That I took those tips of yours!

I’ve found a brand new confidence,

I never knew I had,

To do this every single day,

I’ll now be really glad!"

"I thought you would," said Teddy,

(Flashing Brian a big smile,)

"And I’ve also got a feeling,

That your fame will last a while!"

He walked off with the children,

Beneath the moon so bright,

But since that day the lion,

Has continued to delight!

THE END.

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