Inactive Tutor answered • 02/07/21
Interesting Limerick! I would say, because I don't know if the cow is symbolic of anything, that the cow is literally horrible enough to entrap this man. The cow has kept this man in a prison of some form, as he declares hopelessly HOW to start the limerick. The style is unlike a limerick, as typically the first line has more syllables. But this one only starts with the lament, "how?!" The man follows his lament with a question. Then finds melody and rhythm again when he realizes what he will do: sit on the stile and continue to smile. This is his solution. And this may soften the heart of the cow into letting him go. Sometimes in life when things feel so hopeless, we look to the sky and yell HOW (am I going to get through this!). But we realize that if we sit and smile and radically accept, then maybe the misfortune will soften, allowing us freedom.
