Rhino Woes

Gromps, do you know a tale of woe about a rhino?
Um, let me see, this could well be such a story.
I took a trip on a cruise ship with my pal Kip,

We signed as crew, did what such do to get on through
To the Congo - no, we didn't row to a bongo -
But it was rough, the Cap'n was gruff, and we'd enough.

So we jumped off, our caps to doff, troubles to scoff,
And we set out, this land to scout, find what's about.
Inland we went, where there's no rent, with great intent.

Where's the rhino, in this long show? they cry to know.
Settle on down, it's not in town, did Gromps so frown.
He's on the plain, after much rain, so don't complain.

But we'll skip that, if you sit pat. Where was I at?
Upriver there, the sun does glare -- you must beware.
The grass so tall, couldn't see at all, we felt quite small.

We heard a crash; Kip was so brash, off in a flash.
Better to see. Well, just maybe, but gone was he.
But just as quick, I heard him kick and fly past slick.

As I stood still, I got a chill to hear Kip shrill.
For on his tail, a train on rail, followed his trail.
Both huge and gray, with angry bray, it went Kip's way.

Well, I went mine, different line, with faith divine.
I last saw Kip, off the horn's tip, showing great zip.
He ran sprightly, escape could be, but I didn't see.

But I did hear, for the next year, some people cheer -
Tale of a race, a mighty chase, out there someplace.
Some for Kip root, others the brute in hot pursuit.

Some even say they run today, far, far, astray.
Here is my tip - you ought to skip a bet on Kip;
Though Kip is fast, that rhino cast was built to last.