The Crooked God

Once a god's back was so bent, 
he stared at his feet when he walked.  
To see to either side, he shook his head.   
To see ahead, he lay on his back.  

He seemed so absurd, this shepherd' crook, 
the other gods played tricks. 
Careful,  one would shout,Boulder  ahead!
The crooked god would turn sideways 
only to see the other gods laughing.

One day, as he walked along the horizon, 
he stepped over a snail 
that was crossing his path.

Let me repay you for not treading on me,   said the snail.

How can you possibly repay me?  

Put me  inside  your ear and you shall see.

No sooner was the snail inside the crooked god's ear 
than a god cried,
Watch out. Tree ahead.

Pay no attention,  said the snail.

The way is clear,  offered another 
as the crooked god walked toward a thicket.

Step to the left,  whispered the snail, 
or you will snag  yourself on a thornbush.

From that day on the crooked god walked as if he were up-
right and before long the gods forgot that he was crooked. 

And that is how two can change what one cannot.

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