THE ANIMAL TALLY.

After the annual stock check at London Zoo
It was noted that most beasts went forth two by two,
Except for the largest of mammals of course,
Who wandered the gardens in tough four by fours.

So in order to store them correctly to class
Fences were mended and experts amassed,
And workers were brought from all over the land
To assist with the mysteries of animal strands.

There were twenty two versions of zebras summated
Till someone discovered a colour blind rater
Then all of the pandas and various bears
Were checked out again to ensure who they were.

And the lions and tigers and cheetahs and leopards
Were drugged to ensure their claws were kept separate
Because when the antelopes had to be numbered
There were rumours the cats would be taking the sum.

And the birds had their wings tied to aid in the poll,
And the fish were all tickled to ease with their total,
And the fauna that ran and the creatures that hopped
Were encouraged to slow down or simply to stop.

And everyone said what a grand census count,
Until someone remembered the arthropod house,
So the insect inspectors were sent overnight
So as not to give most of the bugs there a fright.

And it rained rather strange as the reckoning ceased,
And an old man announced it looked set in for weeks,
Though he was renowned for being an old blower,
But by the month end people knew him as Noah.