A peasant once unthinkingly 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STATE OF WYOMING by KAREN SWENSON ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER by JOHN KEATS THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT; AN ODE ATTEMPTED IN ENGLISH SAPPHIC by ISAAC WATTS SPRING SONG by JEAN ANTOINE DE BAIF GREENES FUNERALLS: SONNET 10. A CATALOGUE OF CERTAINE OF HIS BOOKES by RICHARD BARNFIELD |