The Guilty Man Poem by Jürgen Wagner

Ten farmers walked across the field
When suddenly the rain revealed
The lightning struck, the thunder roared loud
They couldn't get home, they were so cowed

An ancient temple was close at hand
So they fled there, a fearful band
But lightning flashed around the place
They questioned the meaning, seeking grace

Perhaps one among them had done wrong
Taken something, what doesn't belong
'We will check out without delay
The guilty one will have to pay! '

'All our hats are made of straw
We'll hang them out, a simple law
The first, that's taken by the breeze -
This person we'll throw out with ease! '

Indeed, it happened just as they planned
The wind took one, as if by command
'Now we've found the villain here! '
This one received a kick, quite clear

He had to flee into the open air
A lightning struck with a mighty flare
Yet spared the damned one, the flashes
The nine remained, a heap of ashes