The Acorn and the Pumpkin. and more

The Acorn and the Pumpkin.

Once there was a country bumpkin Who observed a great big pumpkin To a slender stem attached; While upon an oak tree nourished, Little acorns grew and flourished. "Bah!" said he. "That's badly matched."

"If, despite my humble station, I'd a hand in this Creation, Pumpkins on the oaks would be; And the acorn, light and little, On this pumpkin stem so brittle Would be placed by clever Me."

Then, fatigued with so much thought, he Rest beneath the oak tree sought. He Soon in slumber found repose But, alas! An acorn, falling On the spot where he lay sprawling, Hit him--plump!--Upon the nose.

Up he jumped--a wiser bumpkin. "Gosh!" he said. "Suppose a pumpkin Came a-fallin' on my face! After all, if I had made things, I'll allow that I'm afraid things Might be some what out of place."

The Raven And The Fox.

Mr. Raven was perched upon a limb, And Reynard the Fox looked up at him; For the Raven held in his great big beak A morsel the Fox would go far to seek.

Said the Fox, in admiring tones: "My word! Sir Raven, you are a handsome bird. Such feathers! If you would only sing, The birds of these woods would call you King."

The Raven, who did not see the joke, Forgot that his voice was just a croak. He opened his beak, in his foolish pride-- And down fell the morsel the Fox had spied.

"Ha-ha!" said the Fox. "And now you see You should not listen to flattery. Vanity, Sir is a horrid vice-- I'm sure the lesson is worth the price."

The City Mouse And The Country Mouse.

A City Mouse, with ways polite, A Country Mouse invited To sup with him and spend the night. Said Country Mouse: "De--lighted!" In truth it proved a royal treat, With everything that's good to eat.

Alas! When they had just begun To gobble their dinner, A knock was heard that made them run. The City Mouse seemed thinner. And as they scampered and turned tail, He saw the Country Mouse grow pale.

The knocking ceased. A false alarm! The City Mouse grew braver. "Come back!" he cried. "No, no! The farm, Where I'll not quake or quaver, Suits me," replied the Country Mouse. "You're welcome to your city house."

The Lion And The Gnat.

The Lion once said to the Gnat: "You brat, Clear out just as quick as you can, now--s'cat! If you meddle with me I will not guarantee That you won't be slammed perfectly flat-- D'ye see?"

Said the Gnat: "Because you're called King--you thing!-- You fancy that you will make me take wing. Why, an ox weighs much more, Yet I drive him before When I get good and ready to sting. Now, roar!"

Then loudly his trumpet he blew. And--whew! How fiercely and fast at his foe he flew. From the tail to the toes He draws blood as he goes. Then he starts in to sting and to chew His nose.

Sir Lion was mad with the pain. In vain He roared and he foamed and he shook his mane. All the beasts that were nigh Fled in fear from his cry. But the Gnat only stung him again-- In the eye.

He looked and laughed as he saw--Haw, Haw!-- The Lion self-torn by his tooth and claw, So His Majesty's hide With his own blood was dyed. Said the Gnat: "Shall I serve you up raw-- Or fried?"

It's finished. The Lion's loud roar is o'er. He's bitten and beaten, he's sick and sore. But a spider's web spread Trapped the Gnat as he sped With the news...He will never fight more-- He's dead!

The Dove And The Ant.

An Ant who in a brook would drink Fell off the bank. He tried To swim, and felt his courage sink-- This ocean seemed so wide. But for a dove who flew above He would have drowned and died.

The friendly Dove within her beak A bridge of grass-stem bore: On this the Ant, though worn and weak. Contrived to reach the shore Said he: "The tact of this kind act I'll cherish evermore."

Behold! A barefoot wretch went by With slingshot in his hand. Said he: "You'll make a pigeon pie That will be kind of grand." He meant to murder the gentle bird-- Who did not understand.

The Ant then stung him on the heel (So quick to see the sling). He turned his head, and missed a meal: The pigeon pie took wing. And so the Dove lived on to love-- Beloved by everything.