When Ben was ten,

he thought, for a while,

I’ll grow my hair long,

have a different style.

So Ben grew his hair, and nothing could stop him,

not wind, nor sun nor rain.

And it grew in big locks, right down his back,

just like he had grown a real mane.

Unlike his friends,

whose hair was cut short.

Ben kept his growing,

almost like it was a sport.

The other kids laughed,

at all of his curls.

They teased and they pointed,

both the boys and the girls.

Except for one boy,

who knew just how Ben felt.

For he too had been mocked,

for having hair like a pelt.

He stuck up for Ben,

as best friends will do.

And they learned how together,

They were stronger as two.

Two boys with a mane

different from others,

Two boys with a mane,

together like brothers.