A mime, performing on the street to earn his meager pay,
Discovered that his audience was shrinking every day.
The mime soon learned that everyone was going to the zoo
To see the new gorilla. He resolved to go there too.
He climbed up on a platform just outside the tiger's lair
And started to perform for all the people standing there,
When suddenly a zoo official grabbed him by the arm
And took him to the office, where he spoke in great alarm.
His voice was high and shaky. His eyes were open wide.
He said, "Our star attraction, the gorilla, has just died!
It took two years to get him, and a lot of money, too.
We must act fast, or this could be the ruin of the zoo!"
"I've seen you act — you're talented — I know that you can do it.
I'd like to hire you to perform in this gorilla suit!"
Well, the mime accepted, and within a short amount of time
He'd made more money as an ape than ever as a mime!
For weeks he worked inside the cage, enjoying every day,
For he was being paid to eat bananas, sleep, and play!
But gradually he grew alarmed, as he began to see
The lion in the cage next door draw bigger crowds than he!
The mime in the gorilla suit decided he must do
Some daring stunt, to keep his cushy job there at the zoo.
He climbed the bars up to the top. With all his senses reeling,
He squeezed into the lion's cage, dangling from the ceiling!
That made the lion furious! He roared with all his might
And leaped at the intruder. At this amazing sight
The crowd went wild! They clapped and cheered! They didn't want to go!
That night the mime received a raise for such a thrilling show.
From then on, every day he did the same, and did it well,
Until that dreadful morning when he lost his grip, and fell!
The lion leaped toward him with an awful look of rage!
The mime began to run! The lion chased him round the cage!
"Help! Help!" the mime began to scream. His legs were growing tired.
"Shut up, you fool!" the lion cried. "You'll get both of us fired!"