DUNCAN AND THE OLYMPIC SALMON by Tom Leonard

                                              

                                                 DUNCAN AND THE OLYMPIC SALMON

                                                                   by Tom Leonard

                             

EAGLE-EYED DUNCAN SCOTT WATCHED

AS THE ATLANTIC SALMON 

ATTEMPTED TO LEAP THE FALLS OF SHIN,

TO SPAWN NEW GENERATIONS

IN THE ANCIENT RIVER BEYOND  LAIRG.

"ITS LIKE THE OLYMPICS!" YELPED THE WHIPPER SNAPPER,

WHEN SEVERAL SALMON LEAPT AND FAILED.

"JUST WATCH THAT CRAFTY STONKER!"

YELPED GRANDPA, 

"HE'S SNIFFING OUT HIS PATCH."

AND A MASSIVE MUSCULAR SALMON

CAUGHT THE AIR STREAM,

CLEARED THE MIGHTY FALLS OF YORE,

AND LANDED WITH A BREATH-TAKING SPLASH.

"I'LL SWIM AS WELL AS HIM ONE DAY!""

DECLARED DUNCAN.

"MAYBE I'LL WIN A MEDAL AT TOKYO 2020."

"A GOLD AND THREE SILVERS FOR SCOTLAND."

REPLIED THE NOW COLOURFUL FISH.,

TURNING HIS HEAD IN GLEE.

"INCLUDING TWO RELAYS."

ADDED THE STONKER'S CONTENTED MATE,

"BUT YOU'LL BE A YEAR LATE."