The Lion by Roald Dahl

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Poems are short little stories in their own way. It’s a bite sized way that one is able to travel and experience things that they otherwise might not be able to. Roald Dahl, besides being a fantastic writer of novels, also wrote poetry (which quite a few people apparently do not know). One of his most famous poems (according to some searching around) is The Lion.

I do have to say, the poem is making me a little peckish. How about you?

The Lion by Roald Dahl

“The lion just adores to eat
A lot of red and tender meat
And if you ask the lion what
Is much the tenderest of the lot,
He will not say a roast of lamb
Or curried beef or devilled ham
Or crispy pork or corned beef hash
Or sausages or mutton mash.
Then could it be a big plump hen?
He answers no. What is it, then?
Oh, lion dear, could I not make
You happy with a lovely steak?
Could I entice you from your lair
With rabbit pie or roasted hare?
The lion smiled and shook his head
He came up very close and said,
‘The meat I am about to chew
Is neither steak nor chops. IT’S YOU.’”

– from Dirty Beasts by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl has written an incredible collection of books like The Witches (which was my favorite when I was young), Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which had a 1973 movie version and a 2005 version).

There’s some incredible collections of his books out there which are honestly, in my opinion, the perfect gift for younger to middle aged children and even some adults would be super happy with it. I know I would be!

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