Description

When I was not feeling well a few years ago, I had to take treatments that made me lose all my hair. It was quite a change! I turned to my love of creative writing to help me through. I wrote a story/poem, called “The Lion Who Lost His Mane.”

You can listen to my narration of the poem below (just keep scrolling!) or you can download it for free in M4A format, together with a PDF document that includes the words to the poem. Just add it to your shopping cart and then go through the checkout process. You will be able to immediately download the zip file that contains both the M4A and the PDF document. (The link will also be sent to you by Email.)

I had always been so proud of my curly hair. While visiting the BC Children’s Hospital, I met several children who experienced the sadness of losing their hair. This poem might help someone that you know.

Luckily, my hair slowly grew back, as did the children’s hair. But it did take time! With the help of my friends, I had fun trying on wigs, colourful scarves, funny hats, and sparkling earrings that made me feel beautiful again! Enjoy reading and listening to my Lion story! My birthday is July 31st, which makes me a Leo. I love being lion-hearted!

• The Lion Who Lost His Mane
  
  Listen Here

By Charlotte Diamond
© Charlotte Diamond Music 2013 SOCAN

There once was a Lion with a beautiful mane,
He often would boast and proudly exclaim,
“Look at my hair all golden and bright,
See how each curl shines in the light!”
He’d roar and many would come to admire
The thick mantle of fur, like a golden fire.

But one day as he slept, the source of his pride started to fall,
Strand by strand, ‘til there was nothing at all.
His golden fur lay like straw on the ground,
His head was bare, not a hair to be found.
He grabbed some fur to stick it back on,
But it fell like feathers, down to the ground.

Then he roared, he cried and all came to stare
At the very bald lion, standing there.
“It’s not so bad” said Giraffe, “You could wear boughs from the trees,
I’ll help find some, I’m quite tall, you see.”
“I’ll find feathers” said Hyena, “To decorate your head,
You’ll be quite handsome and special” she said.

“But I feel really sad, and my head is cold,
Besides, without hair I am bald and feel old!”
He grumbled and mumbled, but his friends were there,
They had ideas they wanted to share.

“We’ll find some flowers to add to the branches,
We’ll build you a nest to keep your head warm”,
Twittered the birds, as they inspected his head,
Which he hid ‘neath his paws, while trembling with dread.

“Here’s a straw hat”, said Zebra, “to keep sun from your eyes,
A cool camouflage when you want to hide.”
“I’ll paint colourful swirls upon your head,
They’ll be your curls”, Big Baboon said.
“Then I’ll cover you up”, said Hippopotamus
“With river mud, you’ll be one of us.”

Two vultures flew down and declared, “What’s the fuss?
We’ve been bald all our lives. Don’t feel sorry for us.
Your mane will grow back, but for now don’t despair,
You don’t have to worry about all that hair!”

“My mane will grow back? Are you sure? Is that right?
I thought it was gone; it fell out in the night!”
“Of course, it will” said Giraffe, “See the new baby hairs?
They are ready to grow; they’re just waiting there.”

So, his pals gathered ‘round to decorate their friend,
With branches and leaves, flowers, feathers and more.
They started to sing. Lion started to smile,
And as they danced ‘round, he proudly did roar.
“My name is ‘Lion’, I’m proud of my Roar,
Although, I don’t have a mane anymore.
It will grow back, ‘though it may take time,
And I am most proud of these good friends of mine!”

Later that night as he slept on his bed,
The nest from the birds brought warmth to his head,
He was no longer afraid of not being the same,
“A lion is a lion even without his mane!”