The Gentle Beast

In the deepest depths of the forest,

There lived a gentle beast,

It liked to eat its meals,

That feel like feasts.

Every step it takes,

The Earth almost shakes,

And the forest hides,

Every animal runs to its nest.

What he eats are berries,

Fish and cherries,

Honeycomb and mushrooms,

Sweet roots and juicy plums.

His diet is rigorous,

But the result is not marvelous,

His body is like a sponge,

The energy is stored.

In wintertime, however,

As hard as he had slept,

The fat coat had disappeared,

And a slim gentleman appeared.

As soon as he wakes up,

His hunger is raised up,

It doesn’t matter about the fit body,

If the stomach is not happy.

He eats like an herbivore,

But he’s an omnivore,

So, you’d better fear him,

If you cross paths with him.

He’s not a vicious beast,

He will not tear you apart,

Unless you bother the kids

Or surprise him with your presence.

For his great size, unexpectedly,

His speed is deceptively,

Quicker than you estimate it,

He will reach you, believe it.

He’s a total beast and fierce,

With his fangs and claws,

He seems unstoppable,

But his temper is gentle.

Gáll Árpád   XI. R