At the village Deity’s shrine

There stood two men in a line,

Each praying to the deity

To view his case with pity.

The first prayed for Forgiveness,

Long life, health and happiness,

Sons, rains, and prosperity,

Reign of peace in the country;

If you think all this airy,

Bless me and my family.

The other praised the Deity

And hoped for mote Sympathy

And offered to sacrifice

A goat if by her kindness.

(Which is all beyond man’s ken,)

He recovered his lost hen.

When the first man heard it all,

He remarked at the proposal,

‘Either you must be insane

Or too good for such bargain.’

‘Let me first gain my lost hen

Then from it I know how best

To resile as said in jest.’

Such a spirit bargaining,

To coax God into yielding

Seems in man as much ingrained

As t' resile when the object’s gained.