The Lion and the Gypsy — Geoffrey Patterson

"Geoffrey Patterson has created a highly original fable of the story behind 'Henri Rousseau's' famous painting, 'The Sleeping Gypsy'. "One day a gypsy sets out on a long journey to visit his parents in a village far away. Each day he walks with the sea at his right hand and the mountains at h is left hand, and the white sand stretching out before him. Each evening the gypsy takes out his lute in the moonlight and plays music that reminds him of home. Four animals--a lion, an ibis, a scorpion, and a snake--are so drawn to the beautiful music that each day they follow the gypsy. Each night, hidden in the shadows, they listen to the gypsy play and watch over him after he falls asleep. (Doubleday Press)