Old Sultan

Old Sultan was faithful and true But his teeth were gone, his years were through The shepherd thought, “Tomorrow he’ll go” But his wife said, “No, let him stay, you know” Sultan may be old, his teeth all gone But he’s served us well, he’s brave and strong One more chance is all he needs To prove his worth with loyal deeds Poor Sultan lay by, feeling sad and low He heard the words, he’d have to go But off he went to his friend, the wolf With a plan to stay – a clever gulf The wolf said, “Sultan, here’s what we’ll do— Tomorrow I’ll grab the child from you You chase me down and play the hero Then your master will love you more than a year ago” Sultan may be old, his teeth all gone But he’s served us well, he’s brave and strong One more chance is all he needs To prove his worth with loyal deeds So the wolf ran off with the child in tow Sultan chased fast, putting on a show The shepherd cried, “Sultan, you’re bold and true” And gave him food and a cushion too The wolf came back, grinning wide “Now let me in to steal some pride Just turn away when I grab a sheep— A little reward for secrets to keep” But Sultan may be old, with teeth all gone Still, he’ll stay loyal, fierce, and strong With a wise old bark and a clever plan He won’t betray his master’s hand So Sultan warned the shepherd in time And the wolf got smacked for his little crime Now angry and sore, the wolf did declare “I’ll have revenge—this isn’t fair” The wolf sent a boar to challenge a fight But Sultan went with his friend, tail high and bright The cat with her limp and her tail held tall Made the wolf and boar feel two feet small Sultan may be old, his teeth all gone But with friends like this, he’ll fight till dawn For in his heart, loyal and true He stands his ground, like he used to do The boar ran off with a scratch and a squeal And the wolf climbed high like a frightened eel Sultan laughed as he walked away With his cat by his side, both bold and brave Sultan may be old, his teeth all gone But he’s fierce, he’s clever, he’s never withdrawn With his friend, the cat, he’ll face the fray A loyal heart that’ll never stray