The octopus sat on the sand,
In the hidden depths of his salty land.
He looked about and blinked an eye,
“Just one friend” he dreamt and began to cry.
With a jet of water from out his back,
He headed off from hole to crack
And hid away from all the dangers,
The clamping claws and perfect strangers.
When right in front he stopped in shock,
As a great big shark began to mock,
“Hey buddy, there with your eight legs,
Hiding in the rocky dregs,
Will you come out and play with me?
I’m lonely here in this vast sea.
The fish all scatter when I arrive.
They think I’ll eat them all alive”
The octopus was wild with glee,
“It’s like the gods have just heard me!
I’m so lonely here hiding under weeds
With no one to share my thoughts and needs”
“Well! It’s settled then I’ll be your mate
But can I ask you please when last you ate?
It’s been so long for me it’s true
But rest assured I won’t eat you.
But how about just one small leg?
It’s just this once, I hate to beg!”
Our friend thought long and looked around,
It was just a token to his friend he’d found.
So he agreed and off it came,
Eight became seven but he felt no shame,
For he’d helped a friend, maybe saved his life
And that’s what they’re for through pain and strife.
So they played and laughed and swam about,
Like a glass of water after the longest drought.
But in the evenings the shark would say,
“I’m still so hungry, just one more I pray?”
Soon there were six and then shortly four,
The octopus hoped there’d be no more.
After just a week he was left with one
His friend no longer seemed like fun.
The octopus sat on the sand,
As the shark eyed up his one last hand.
In just one bight he gulped the rest,
His arm and all the bits that he liked best.
Off the shark swam without a sting,
To see what his next friend could bring.
