Classic Poem

Peasant once unthinkingly, A
—Spread tales about a friend.
But later found the rumors false
—And hoped to make amend.

He sought the counsel of a monk,
—A man esteemed and wise,
Who heard the peasant's story through
—And felt he must advise.

The kind monk said: “If you would have
—A mind again at peace,
I have a plan whereby you may
—From trouble find release.

“Go fill a bag with chicken down
—And to each dooryard go
And lay one fluffy feather where
—The streams of gossip flow.”

The peasant did as he was told
—And to the monk returned,
Elated that his penance was
—A thing so quickly earned.

“Not yet,” the old monk sternly said,
—“Take up your bag once more
And gather up the feathers that
—You placed at every door.”

The peasant, eager to atone,
—Went hastening to obey,
No feathers met his sight, the wind
—Had blown them all away.

Peasant once unthinkingly, A
—Spread tales about a friend.
But later found the rumors false
—And hoped to make amend.

He sought the counsel of a monk,
—A man esteemed and wise,
Who heard the peasant's story through
—And felt he must advise.

The kind monk said: “If you would have
—A mind again at peace,
I have a plan whereby you may
—From trouble find release.

“Go fill a bag with chicken down
—And to each dooryard go
And lay one fluffy feather where
—The streams of gossip flow.”

The peasant did as he was told
—And to the monk returned,
Elated that his penance was
—A thing so quickly earned.

“Not yet,” the old monk sternly said,
—“Take up your bag once more
And gather up the feathers that
—You placed at every door.”

The peasant, eager to atone,
—Went hastening to obey,
No feathers met his sight, the wind
—Had blown them all away.