For a great commander a short neck’s best -
That has been the case throughout all time -
So his chin should rest upon his broad chest
While his nape should join up with his spine.

On a neck so short you cannot spot it
Sits the head so comfortably glued,
And it’s so much harder to garrotte it
And there’s nowhere there for a lasso.

But they crane their necks to make them longer,
Standing on the toe-seams of their socks.
To see clearer into the blue yonder
You must clear the other people’s blocks.

You’ve seen, while you stick out like a sore thumb,
Light on the horizon - what’s the use?
Standing on your toes you’re so unsure and
Now your neck is open to the noose.

And then any jackal full of spite is
Free to sit and count your vertebrae.
You see far, but it’s not so far-sighted
Showing folk your open neck that way.

But they crane their necks to make them longer,
Standing on the toe-seams of their socks.
To see clearer into the blue yonder
You must clear the other people’s blocks.

Your head held high, spitting in the well, you
Bring about your doom with your own hand.
True commanders stamp, I’ve got to tell you,
With their feet slapped flat upon the land.

And in Asia they know how to ambush,
So no demigod should let them creep
Behind him till they give him a grand push
Hard enough to knock him off his feet.

But they crane their necks to make them longer,
Standing on the toe-seams of their socks.
To see clearer into the blue yonder
You must clear the other people’s blocks.

He who gives his nerves a little slack as
Though he dropped the reins and lost control
Surely will be tackled from the back as
Fingers grip his neck in their firm hold.

You could always choose to take no chances,
Hunching up your shoulders round your chin.
Just don’t think you’ll get admiring glances
If your head’s so miserably pinned.

But they crane their necks to make them longer,
Standing on the toe-seams of their socks.
To see clearer into the blue yonder
You must clear the other people’s blocks.

I was told this oriental story
By a man as old as he was wise.
I thought: "Even fables here are gory"
As I checked my own neck out for size.