A fortnight before a Christmas past, Sally Jane
Felt a pain in her belly, so she went to the local
Teaching hospital, the finest in the land; while
Waiting nervously on the examination table, in
Marched a hyena, a lizard, and a dromedary,
Each duly clad in coats distinguished and white –
And each was so learned and spectacled, as if
They’d descended from a truly great height – the
Dromedary did a dance around the table, while
The lizard jumped up and down, while the hyena
Unleashed a cackling laugh while having a good
Look at her naked. Quoth the pontifical hyena:
“This is the finest teaching hospital in the land,
Where only point zero zero one percent get to
Do their residency, and so it’s an honor for you
To be here – do you have any idea what that
Means – that only point zero zero one percent
Gain admission?” Then the dromedary ordered
A great many tests, some that made long beeps,
While others made short ones, while the lizard
Furiously took notes; then she was handed a
Bill from a frog that lives up the hill, and went
Home disconsolate and forlorn