There’s a tale to be told in the bay of Eel Lair
(one with no happy ending, so readers beware)
For those who could find the cave where it was stored
A bubblegum treasure would be their reward
A whole ship of explorers set after it one May
But a reef held them up far short of the bay
Most abandoned the quest, but four hadn’t yet
Their names were in order: Jim, John, James, and Chet
The four would set off on the dinghy that day
Forward, through the channel at Eel Island Bay
The first climbed aboard, looking up he did say,
“I brought a good compass to show us the way”
The second stepped in, looking proper and keen
“To ensure us clean water I brought this canteen”
The third stepped in cautiously, taking his time,
“I brought a sturdy ladder, there may be cliffsides to climb”
The fourth man fell in, bumping his head
“I have a mop,” he said
Their first test would come sooner than they might ask
The jagged rocks would make docking no easy task
James, extended his ladder out bridging the gap
“With my ladder we’ll bypass these rocks in a snap”
Jim, looking down at his compass did say,
“My compass will show us which is the right way”
John passed around his canteen as they waited
“If we all drink from this we’ll stay good and hydrated”
Chet climbed over last, following where they led
“Don’t forget my mop,” he said
While Chet climbed across, Jim raised an eyebrow
Pulling the others aside for a private powwow
“Chet,” Jim began, “there’s something we need to discuss,”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, it’s not you it’s us”
“We hope this won’t cause you too much pain and woe
But as we move on forward, we’ll have to let you go…”
The absence of Chet, was something of which they were hardly aware
As they climbed the cliffs leading on to the mouth of Eel Lair
On and on they went, making use of all their supplies
One final cave chamber between them and their prize
They could see the chamber door, just fifty steps ahead
But a series of puddles across the cave floor were spread
“Wait!” John shouted, “stop where you are, you fools!”
“those puddles are runoff from the Vile Eel pools”
“I’m sorry if the fear in my voice causes me to st-stutter,
“but one drop of that stuff would melt our boots like butter”
John hadn’t exaggerated, for what it’s worth
Those eels made that water the most toxic on Earth
“If we could only somehow thin this deadly eel-water out
brush these puddles aside, and clear a safe route”
They thought long and hard, but no solution was seen
With only a compass, ladder, and canteen…
This puzzle was one they would not overcome
And they would live out their lives, chewing boring stick-gum
I think this one is my favorite so far.