Inspired by Story: The Musk Deer
“The Musk Deer” is a poem written by William Henry Davies. It was first published in 1911 as part of his collection of poems titled “New Poems”. The poem is a beautiful allegory that tells the story of a musk deer who is searching for the source of the scent that emanates from him. The deer searches high and low, but is unable to find the source of the scent. In the end, the deer realizes that the scent comes from within himself and that he had been searching for something that was always with him. Here is the poem:
Jan 1
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Penny Burtenshaw
The Musk Deer
The musk deer searches for the source of the scent.
He follows it to the mountain cliff's extent.
He searches high and low, but cannot find,
the source of the scent that fills his mind.
He runs through the forest, he runs through the glen.
He searches the valleys, he searches the fen.
He searches high and low, but cannot find,
The source of the scent that fills his mind.
In the end, he realises with a start,
That the scent comes from within his own heart.
He had been searching for something that was always there,
And now he knows that it was always here.
By William Henry Davies (1911)
In New Poems
The allegory is a beautiful reminder that we only have to look within, and trust that we each contain great wisdom and strength.
Beyond the Glass Jar
Ethos #3 Inspired by Story: The Musk Deer.
Promote personal agency, empowerment and self-love; stay curious and creative.
