The Tortoise and the Gecko

A gecko sat crying alone by a canyon
with no one beside him. No friend or companion.
When slowly a tortoise came wandering by
and watched as the gecko would sniffle and cry.
He said in a voice that was ancient and frail,
“My dear little lizard, please tell me your tale.”

The sad little gecko looked up in surprise,
and, wiping the tears from his round little eyes,
he said to the tortoise, “Please sit for a spell.
My story is nearly too painful to tell.
The gecko I love but I never have seen
is patiently waiting across this ravine.

“I’m sure she’s as lovely as lilies in June.
A fine, freckled gecko with eyes like the moon.
I come every morning to sit at the ledge
and shout to my sweetheart this passionate pledge.
‘I love you, my darling!’ I proudly proclaim,
and soon my beloved, she answers the same.”

The heartbroken gecko announced through his tears,
“This long-distance romance has lasted for years.”
“A mighty sad story,” the old tortoise said
and walked away slowly while shaking his head,
for, try as he might, he could not tell the gecko
he’d fallen in love with the sound of his echo.