Tooth Ache

Morning was cold

and Sun was late,

rooster under a warm quilt

wanted to wait.

He had to crow

for everyone to rise,

and if he didn’t crow

problems could arise.

But everyone awoke

hearing a cry of pain,

rooster began to crow

he couldn’t now feign.

It was the elephant

who was in tears,

his tooth was aching

first time in many years.

He left his bed and

jumped into his van,

he rushed to a dentist

who lived in a caravan.

Dentist was awake

but was still in bed,

he saw the elephant

and trembled in dread.

Dentist was afraid of

treating the elephant,

he was often careless

and sometimes negligent.

But elephant would hear

no ifs and buts,

for pain in the tooth

was driving him nuts.

Dentist was careful

he examined the tooth,

he was a bit nervous

but he told the truth.

“Sir, it makes me sad

but I have to tell the truth,

one tooth is really bad

I’ll have to remove a tooth”

“Do what you've to do

this pain I can’t bear,

just take a good care

but do first say a prayer .”

Elephant opened his mouth

and closed his eyes,

but poor dentist failed

even after many tries.

He pulled and plucked

twisted and wrenched,

he did his best

and in sweat he got drenched.

When finally tooth came out

dentist let out a cry,

elephant had punched him

in pain and fury.

Elephant was shivering

in wild red rage,

dentist had done him  

a serious damage.

 “You fool of a dentist

what have you done?

Bad tooth is still aching

you took out a good one.”

Poor dentist knew that

he was in deep trouble,

and he thought it wise

to scamper at double.

© i b arora