Androcles
By Sandy Pliskin
A musical setting of an old favorite fable
Oh once there was a little mouse, and his name was Androcles
He would wander ‘round the countryside, he’d go wherever that he pleased
One day he bounded up a golden mound, you know that nothing gave him pause
‘Til he found that the mound was a sleeping lion, and he’d landed in its paws.
At just that moment the lion awoke and let out a mighty roar
And Androcles said, “Mr. Lion, of you I do implore
If you should choose to let me loose I would be grateful ever more,
And someday I’ll pay you back, you’ll see”, that desperate rodent swore.
Well that lion looked at Androcles, and he couldn’t help but laugh
”Don’t you know that I am kind of all that could ever cross my path
You’re free to go, but don’t be slow, because I just might change my mind
And don’t pretend that I would ever need help from a pipsqueak of your kind.”
Well that lion let him loose, and his demise it was forestalled
And Androcles made himself scarce, though he always did recall
The debt he owed when the lion bestowed upon him his release
How he’d pay that lion back befuddled our friend Androcles.
Still one day he roamed the countryside, how that mouse loved to explore
‘Til he heard a sound and his ears pricked up to a most familiar roar
Because upside down, way off the ground, entrapped inside a net
Was the very lion he’d sworn to help, and he never did forget.
Brave Androcles said, “Never fear, for help is on the way!”
He jumped up and he gnawed and he chewed at the rope that held that lion at bay
At last the rope gave way and broke, and the lion he was free
And that grateful lion thanked his stars that he’d released little Androcles.
So let this be a lesson to those currently in command
You might wish to show some mercy even though you rule this land
For the lion may roar and with sharp claws gore, while the mouse can only squeak
Still some day you might find it’s the mouse who’s mighty, and the lion who is meek.
From Inequality is Not Healthy for Children or Other Living Things opens in a new tab, track released December 11, 2012
Sandy Pliskin is an early childhood educator and an activist for peace, economic, and climate justice. He is a member of People’s Music Network and Children’s Music network.
