His long tail was moving, twitching to and fro.
He watched Gazelle as she ate and she grazed,
He watched Gazelle as she ate and she grazed,
Under the sun as it baked and it blazed.
Knowing in a chase, he could surpass.
Suddenly Gazelle felt Cheetah's eyes,
And to his presence, she became wise.
She shouted out, "I know you're there!"
And then with caution and with great care,
She watched wary as Cheetah appeared,
And stepped back slowly as he calmly neared.
"Hello, my dear. Please come with me.
Let's make this as easy as it can be.
We both know that you can run fast,
But I am faster and you'll be surpassed."
"I don't think that's fair," said the Gazelle-
"You're so swift, can I compel
You to a game of our wits instead?
And if I lose...", the rest went unsaid.
Intrigued the Cat said, "Do tell me more."
Such a rare offer he wanted to explore.
Gazelle then smiled and made it clear,
That to the rules, they both must adhere.
"The game is this: If my riddle stumps you
I walk away, and then you do too.
I will get three chances to try,
And when I succeed, you say goodbye!
Cheetah replied, "You're confident-
But I'll play your game," he did consent.
Gazelle nodded, and raised up her muzzle.
Then told the Cheetah to solve this puzzle:
"I'm made of nothing, but can be strong,
I can knock down a tree, while whistling a song.
I am always felt, but can never be held,
I can make you feel very compelled
To shield yourself and cover your eyes.
Now you tell me, what am I?"
"I hope these will get more difficult-
A child could answer, much less an adult!
Cheetah replied as he smugly grinned.
"The answer here is obviously wind!"
"Ok, number two," Gazelle then moved on,
Sure that her brains would defeat brawn.
"I never walk, I only run.
I can disappear if left in the sun.
I can't be worn, but at times I'm a cap,
And I can slip through the thinnest of gaps.
I can fall, but cannot rise.
Now you tell me, what am I?
Cheetah grinned, with those big, white teeth,
His long, pink tongue, dancing underneath.
"This one's too easy, no disrespect,
The answer is water! Tell me I'm correct!"
"Well done, well done. But I get one more chance,"
Gazelle replied with a calm, composed glance.
Poised and relaxed, she delivered her poser,
As the Cheetah slowly crept closer.
"You can't move me an inch due to my heft and
my height.
But my bark tends to be worse than my bite.
I have a trunk, but never pack.
I have limbs, but fingers I do lack.
I soar up towards the sky, yet cannot fly-
Now you tell me, what am I?"
An hour went by. Then two and then three,
When Cheetah said, "An elephant! It must be!"
Gazelle shook her head, Cheetah couldn't believe
That the correct answer he did not achieve.
"The answer's 'a tree'," Gazelle smiled wide.
"But you shouldn't feel bad, I know that you tried.
I expect you to be true, and honor our deal."
Cheetah sneered, "Of course, though it isn't ideal."
Before walking away, the Cat had to ask,
How could Gazelle be so assured in her task?
Gazelle replied, with the biggest of grins,
"Because everyone knows, a Cheetah never wins."
