THE SCARECROW

Once I said to a scarecrow,
"You must be tired of standing in this lonely field?"
And he said, "The joy of scaring is a deep
and lasting one, and I never tire of it."
Said I, after a minute of thought,
"It is true; for I too have known that joy."
Said he, "Only those who are
stuffed with straw can know it."
Then I left him, not knowing whether
he had complimented or belittled me.
A year passed, during which
the scarecrow turned philosopher.
And when I passed by him again
I saw two crows building a nest under his hat.