The Mountain-Climber

As I arrived at the head of a pass
I encountered cross-legged alongside the path
A wise ruminating old mountain guru.
Eager to finish my climb before nightfall
But not wanting be rude
I briskly withdrew a few coins from my pack,
And with a smile dropped them in his lap.

High-tailing across a steep sheet of scree
Suddenly I was sure I heard cougar shrieks,
And unholstered my revolver.
As I set foot again on solid ground
I came to a trail of blood trickling down
From a man being chewed by a mountain cougar,
And fired once into the air.
Luckily that sufficed to scare the beast,
And as expected I got there on time
To pitch my tent at the very top peak.