Eulogy For The Faithful

Many years ago, this lowly creature
With nothing better to do
Came and staked its dwelling place
In our cupboard, in father's shoe

If it was pretty with coloured spots
Many moons, it could have stayed
But oozing slime, and a skin of warts
Dad just had to send it away

But dad, feeling a little kind
Sent it to the lake gardens in town
Giving Toady an environmental-friendly place
With a lake to swim around

Alas, alas, as life dictates
Some things are not to be
For within just a week or two
In Shoe No 2, we found Toady

Dad was confounded, so was I
How can such a thing be
A toad which returns from across the town
Happens only on TV

Looking at this creature's face
We thought, maybe it's an heir
So after much consideration and thought
To lake gardens, we sent the 'spare'

Alas, alas, again and again
And after countless times
Toady returned, fatter to our chagrin
We gave up transporting the slime

And then it came, that fateful day
Cousin crying, with a plea
"I need a nice fat amphibian
To dissect in Biology"

I looked at Dad, Dad looked at me
This is better than we have dreamt
To finally test the 'Homing Theory'
Toady became the sacrificial lamb

Day after day, and before bed at night
I checked for Toady's return
But never again, did we see his likes
Admittedly, a little guilt burned

So amazing are God's creations
Even the repulsive toad
So in honour of this faithful beast
I dedicate this ode