Beneath jade peaks where lanterns glow,
The great temple stood where soft winds blow.
Foo dogs of stone stood guard each night,
Protecting the flame,
Preserving the light.
In the valley beneath the stars,
Two foo cats dreamed of temple guards.
Though small in size,
Their hearts burned bright.
They longed to serve,
To stand in the light.
Not for your kind,
The elders said.
Foo dogs protect these gates instead.
Foo cats are nimble,
But far too small.
You'll never guard the temple wall.
Yet dreams don't fade when hearts are true.
The foo cats knew what they must do.
Through trials fierce,
They'd find their way,
And prove their worth by night and day.
On a moonless night,
Darkness took form,
A serpent of smoke,
A shadowed storm.
The foo dogs roared their thunder strong,
But shadows slipped and slithered along.
The foo cats leapt with fearless eyes,
Through cracks and holes,
Through hidden skies.
With claws of silver,
They struck the night,
And chased the dark till it lost its fight.
Soon after came a storm of flame.
Lightning struck with a burning aim.
The foo dogs braced,
But could not race.
The fire was swift in its ruthless chase.
The foo cats bounced.
Rooftops they crossed,
Spilling down rain where the fire was tossed.
They called the birds with a gentle song,
Who scattered the smoke as they flew along.
At dawn,
The sacred bell did crack.
Its golden song could not come back.
The foo dogs tried,
Their strength too vast.
But one false step,
The bell would not last.
The foo cats padded,
Soft and slow,
Carrying weight with a gentle flow.
They set it down with tender care,
Till monks repaired it with golden flair.
The foo dogs bowed,
Their voices rolled.
Your hearts are braver than we were told.
Not size,
Nor stone,
Nor name decide,
But love and spirit that dwell inside.
From that day forth at the temple gate,
Foo dogs and foo cats shared the fate.
Guardians together,
Side by side,
United in friendship,
In courage,
In pride.
