The Quadrupeds' Pic-Nic

In a wild clearing where oaks, cucumber trees and cabbage‑leafed boughs intertwine, a chorus of birds and buzzing insects announces a spectacular gathering. A playful chronicler decides to record the long‑overdue celebration that the quadrupeds have staged, echoing mythic feasts. The verse invites listeners to wander into nature's own lavish picnic.

From a sled‑bound polar bear nursing a sun‑burned nose to a quick‑witted monkey dashing ice, the guest list reads like a parade of exotic characters. Jaguars, cougars, armadillos, beavers, sloths, marmots and even Esquimaux dogs mingle with bison, shy hedgehogs and regal horses, each adding its own quirks. The poet sketches their chatter, the rustle of paws on pine needles, and the occasional howl that hints at ancient rivalries softened for the day.

As the sun climbs, the meadow hums with song and the animals share simple delights—a splash in the lake, a bite of wild rice, a friendly bark or roar—spinning a tapestry of sounds both familiar and fantastical. Listeners are drawn into the gentle chaos, eager to hear the next comic or tender exchange.