Good Sense - Xasan Sheekh Muumin

The ostrich places

Her young in the open

Where the hawk kills

But the small bird marries

And beds her young

In a nest that's safe

      Different in size, the two

      In manners, wisdom

      And sense are opposite

      See how good sense

      Is superior to strength

      And think on it.

The elephant with large tusks

Grazes at night in land

Where the enemy hunts him

But the termite builds

The mound we see

Protects himself within it.

      Different in size, the two

      In manners, wisdom

      And sense are opposite

      See how good sense

      Is superior to strength

      And think on it.

Do you know the dikdik?

She digs at the dust

Buries her droppings

But does the lion conceal his?

The path to the watering hole

He stains with his dung.

      Different in size, the two

      In manners, wisdom

      And sense are opposite

      See how good sense

      Is superior to strength

      And think on it.

---

Xasan Sheekh Muumin (1931 - 2008) Somalia

Translated by Martin Orwin

Source: City Lore