Author: Walter Crane

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    A Snake, in a fix, tried a File
    For a dinner. "'Tis not worth your while,"
    Said the steel, "don't mistake;
    I'm accustomed to take,
    To give's not the way of a File."

    We May Meet Our Match

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Type of Poem: Fable

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem, written in the form of a limerick, utilizes a simple and humorous storytelling approach to convey a profound message about the nature of interactions and expectations. The central characters, the snake and the file, are metaphoric entities, perhaps representing individuals or aspects of society. The snake's unsuccessful attempt to eat the file serves as a metaphor for misdirected effort, misplaced expectations, or misguided ambition, while the file's response encapsulates the uncompromising nature of certain entities or situations.

The tone of the poem is light and playful, despite its deeper commentary on human behavior and societal norms. It uses the literary device of personification, attributing human characteristics to both the snake and the file, which makes the interaction more relatable and memorable. The structure of the poem, adhering to the limerick's distinct AABBA rhyme scheme, gives it a rhythmic quality that enhances its overall appeal and readability. In essence, through a seemingly simplistic narrative, the poem provides an insightful examination of the consequences of ignoring the inherent nature of things, and the frustration and futility that can result from such ignorance. It also subtly hints towards the concept of 'meeting our match', suggesting that every entity has an adversary or counterpart that it cannot dominate or consume.