On a farm, down a road, in a nice little town,

was a barn, with a horse, both colored brown.

This horse had white on his strong back too,

with black and tan polka dots that nobody drew.

 It's how he was born, and that is just fine,

because this horse named Max, had a special design.

Max was loved by all of the barn,

the people the horses, he never caused harm. 

 He always looked to take care of his friends,

whether plain or patterned, his care never ends.

One day as Max chewed on his oats and his hay,

his friend Chicken Lucy came by to say,

“Max could you please take care of my egg,

 I need you to help me, so I do beg.”

“But Lucy, I weigh 100 stones,

 I may crush your egg,” Max sadly moans.

“I have 4 big feet, and shoes made of of steel, 

I want to help, but my help is not real.”

“Oh please, my friend Max, I do need your care,

 I know your kindness will guide your heart there.”

So, Lucy stepped into Max’s stall,

Max made a nest of hay near the wall,

Lucy pushed and squawked and when she was done,

there was a little egg there, where there had been none.

“Take care of my egg, please protect it from harm.

 I will come back when I return to the farm”

 “It may take days, weeks, or a year,

 but I know my little egg will have nothing to fear.”

“Goodbye my dear friend,” Lucy did say, 

as she waved her wing and she waddled away.

Max settled in to protect and care,

he will make sure, that all was good there.

Along came the farmer who cleans out the stalls.

He tidies the barn and washes the walls. 

“Let me in Mr. Max” he said through the door,

“No Mr. Farmer don’t come anymore.” 

“But why?” said the farmer, “I have work to do.”

“I am busy,” said Max. “I’ll call when I’m through.”

“No cleaning for now, in this brown barn,

 I don’t want my egg to find any harm.”

Later that day his girl did arrive,

 to brush his coat and give him a ride.

“No, no” said Max “this cannot be done,

 “I have a job, I have  no time for fun.”

The girl understood as she saw his small nest.

She said, “My dear Max, you are always the best.” 

“I’m proud of your promise, you care like a father,

 I will step back and not be a bother.”

“ I will wait till you’re ready to work on our trot, 

when you are free and busy, you’re not."

When the evening light shone, Farm Dog came to visit.

 He looked in the stall and asked, “What is it?”

Max curled his back in a shape like a U

protecting the egg the best way he knew.

 “Stay back I warn you! Stay away from me now.”

 “I’m guarding this life as best I know how.”

 “But how will you sleep, where will you rest?

 You have no place to lie, your nest is a pest.”

 “No worries Farm Dog I will stand all night,

 I am strong and can do it, until day light.”