A cavern lies

Forgotten deep within the earth

Alive with gold and bright with gems of boundless worth

Untouched by hands, unseen by eyes

The serpent whispered

"This wealth alone is mine"

Below the roots of tallest tree

A river trickles quietly

And he who tastes it shall be free

To live his life eternally

Within the trees

An ancient temple waits

Ten thousand years interred in nature's deep embrace

In crumbling halls, still written clear

Is knowledge of both man and God

Concealed by time

A songbird answers in reply

"For all your wealth, what shame you cannot fly

Despite what immortality may bring

I pity you who cannot sing"