If four stubborn monks

wandered endlessly through

the mountainous regions of Tibet

in search of fine linens,

how many black-haired donkeys

could scamper three-hoofed

across an 80-foot beam,

in comparison to the time it takes

a herd of wild billygoats to graze

upon a 20-acre field of alfalfa

at standard temperature and air pressure?



Twelve tribal natives dance

around an open flame

at a rate three times

as fast as the three-toed tree sloth of

northwestern Africa can gnaw

on a two-foot bamboo twig.

With this in mind, calcluate the time

it takes for a band of savage marauders

to steal two barrels of flour

from a lonely traveling merchant

in a secluded, Mexican village.