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The Birds' Chorus

The maestro's gray cat awoke stretching and yawning,
Meowing for breakfast in the light of dawn,
Impatiently jumped on his master's soft stomach
Until he awoke on that tranquil spring morn.

The maestro got up and with loving care fed him;
The cat ate the fish then strolled on the green lea
Into the deep woods where the bird chorus waited
For him to conduct them in sweet melody.

The cat waved its tail and the thrush started singing,
A song of pure rapture invaded the air;
The skylark sang next to the peaceful woods bringing
A feeling of gladness that banished all care.

Thousands of linnets joined in the birds' chorus,
All singing together in a single tree;
From hedges and bushes all over the forest
Reechoed the strains of their close harmony.

The plaintive refrain of the dear robin redbreast
Was heard from the topmost branch of a tall pine;
The oak, the pale ash, white poplar and willow
Were all filled with birds waiting for the cat's sign.

The cat raised its paw and the bees started humming,
The fluttering butterfiles danced a ballet;
The woodpecker started incessantly drumming,
The squirrels chased each other in frivolous play.

Then tragedy struck as a voracious weasel
Pounced on a small bird in a sudden attack.
Before he could harm it the maestro's cat caught him
And sank his sharp claws in the mammal's slim back.

Dropping the bird the beast rushed at the feline
And bit him repeatedly in a fierce fight,
But the concert meister though injured prevailed
And the bloodthirsty weasel was soon put to flight.

The cat waved its tail and the birds renewed singing;
Bullfrogs and cicadas joined in, knowing that
Any rash predator seeking to eat them
Would have to contend with the claws of the cat.


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