The Bell and the Death Bell .

- "Under that branch, swings the bell, But beware of the echo’s spell!" The tiger roared, "You fool me so? I’ll ring this bell and let the echo go!"     

- Harish Nayak

When the bell rings, oh what a sound,

A deep, deep echo that spreads all around.

It hums in the air, and lingers so long,

It hums in our body, a never-ending song.

Now hear a story, brave and true,

Of such a bell and its mighty hue.

Can a rabbit climb a tree so high?

Yes, when danger comes by and by.

When trouble knocks at its tiny door,

A rabbit will climb like never before.

One day came the tiger, fierce and loud,

Roaring so wild, so fierce and proud.

The rabbit trembled, its body did shake,

Hiding above, for its life's sake.

The tiger roared, "Rabbit, come down!

Where will you escape from my mighty frown?"

The rabbit replied, smart and clear,

"Oh tiger uncle, death I do not fear.

But I worry for the bell, my family's pride,

If stolen, our honor will not survive."

"What is this bell, why so dear?"

Asked the tiger, curious to hear.

The rabbit smiled and softly spoke,

"Its echo stays like a magic cloak.

If someone takes it, the sound will tell,

And all will know who broke the spell."

The tiger laughed, "You scare me now?

Your ancestor's bell? I’ll stop it somehow!"

The rabbit warned, clever and wise,

"If you touch it, trouble will rise.

The bell may ring, and echo loud,

It will make even you cry out proud."

"Nonsense!" the tiger gave a mighty shout,

"Show me the bell, I'll sort it out."

The rabbit pointed, cool and light,

"See that hive hanging tight?

Under that branch, swings the bell,

But beware of the echo’s spell!"

The tiger roared, "You fool me so?

I’ll ring this bell and let the echo go!"

He leapt up high with all his might,

And struck the hive in broad daylight.

Buzz buzzbuzz! came the swarm,

The bees attacked in a deadly storm.

They bit and stung from all around,

The mighty tiger ran with not a sound.

Tail up high, he fled in fear,

The buzzing echo was all he could hear.

"Oh rabbit, oh rabbit!" the tiger cried,

"Your bell hums inside, far and wide.

It rings in my nose, my ears, my head,

It follows me even when I fled!

Take back your bell, take it please,

Free me from this painful disease!"

Far away, the rabbit laughed and sang,

With joy and victory his voice rang:

"To chase away the shadow of death,

Ring the bell with fearless breath.

Even the tiger so wild and strong,

Will hear the death bell all day long!"