Famous Children Poems - Page 2

21 - 40 of 62 Poems

  1. 21. Teddy Bear

    Famous Poem

    "Teddy Bear" was first published in When We Were Very Young, a book of poetry by A. A. Milne.
    The teddy bear in this poem would later become the famous Winnie-the-Pooh from A. A. Milne's famous book series.

    A bear, however hard he tries,
    Grows tubby without exercise.
    Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
    Which is not to be wondered at;
    He gets what exercise he can
    By falling off the ottoman,
    But generally seems to lack
    The energy to clamber back.

    Now tubbiness is just the thing
    Which gets a fellow wondering;
    And Teddy worried lots about
    The fact that he was rather stout.
    He thought: "If only I were thin!
    But how does anyone begin?"
    He thought: "It really isn't fair
    To grudge me exercise and air."

    For many weeks he pressed in vain
    His nose against the window-pane,
    And envied those who walked about
    Reducing their unwanted stout.
    None of the people he could see
    "Is quite" (he said) "as fat as me!"
    Then with a still more moving sigh,
    "I mean" (he said) "as fat as I!"

    Now Teddy, as was only right,
    Slept in the ottoman at night,
    And with him crowded in as well
    More animals than I can tell;
    Not only these, but books and things,
    Such as a kind relation brings -
    Old tales of "Once upon a time",
    And history retold in rhyme.

    One night it happened that he took
    A peep at an old picture-book,
    Wherein he came across by chance
    The picture of a King of France
    (A stoutish man) and, down below,
    These words: "King Louis So and So,
    Nicknamed 'The Handsome!' " There he sat,
    And (think of it) the man was fat!

    Our bear rejoiced like anything
    To read about this famous King,
    Nicknamed the "Handsome." Not a doubt
    The man was definitely stout.
    Why then, a bear (for all his tub)
    Might yet be named "The Handsome Cub!"

    "Might yet be named." Or did he mean
    That years ago he "might have been"?
    For now he felt a slight misgiving:
    "Is Louis So and So still living?
    Fashions in beauty have a way
    Of altering from day to day.
    Is 'Handsome Louis' with us yet?
    Unfortunately I forget."

    Next morning (nose to window-pane)
    The doubt occurred to him again.
    One question hammered in his head:
    "Is he alive or is he dead?"
    Thus, nose to pane, he pondered; but
    The lattice window, loosely shut,
    Swung open. With one startled "Oh!"
    Our Teddy disappeared below.

    There happened to be passing by
    A plump man with a twinkling eye,
    Who, seeing Teddy in the street,
    Raised him politely on his feet,
    And murmured kindly in his ear
    Soft words of comfort and of cheer:
    "Well, well!" "Allow me!" "Not at all."
    "Tut-tut!" A very nasty fall."

    Our Teddy answered not a word;
    It's doubtful if he even heard.
    Our bear could only look and look:
    The stout man in the picture-book!
    That "handsome" King - could this be he,
    This man of adiposity?
    "Impossible," he thought. "But still,
    No harm in asking. Yes, I will!"

    "Are you," he said, "by any chance
    His Majesty the King of France?"
    The other answered, "I am that,"
    Bowed stiffly, and removed his hat;
    Then said, "Excuse me," with an air
    "But is it Mr. Edward Bear?"
    And Teddy, bending very low,
    Replied politely, "Even so!"

    They stood beneath the window there,
    The King and Mr. Edward Bear,
    And, handsome, if a trifle fat,
    Talked carelessly of this and that ...
    Then said His Majesty, "Well, well,
    I must get on," and rang the bell.
    "Your bear, I think," he smiled. "Good-day!"
    And turned, and went upon his way.

    A bear, however hard he tries,
    Grows tubby without exercise.
    Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
    Which is not to be wondered at.
    But do you think it worries him
    To know that he is far from slim?
    No, just the other way about -
    He's proud of being short and stout.

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  3. 22. Sneezles

    Famous Poem


    This humorous poem by A.A. Milne shows parents taking care of a child with a cold, but they are worrying about the symptoms turning into something worse. Christopher Robin, mentioned in this poem, was A.A. Milne’s son. Milne was the creator of Winnie the Pooh.

    Christopher Robin
    Had wheezles
    And sneezles,
    They bundled him
    Into
    His bed.
    They gave him what goes
    With a cold in the nose,
    And some more for a cold
    In the head.
    They wondered
    If wheezles
    Could turn
    Into measles,
    If sneezles
    Would turn
    Into mumps;
    They examined his chest
    For a rash,
    And the rest
    Of his body for swellings and lumps.
    They sent for some doctors
    In sneezles
    And wheezles
    To tell them what ought
    To be done.
    All sorts and conditions
    Of famous physicians
    Came hurrying round
    At a run.
    They all made a note
    Of the state of his throat,
    They asked if he suffered from thirst;
    They asked if the sneezles
    Came after the wheezles,
    Or if the first sneezle
    Came first.
    They said, "If you teazle
    A sneezle
    Or wheezle,
    A measle
    May easily grow.
    But humour or pleazle
    The wheezle
    Or sneezle,
    The measle
    Will certainly go."
    They expounded the reazles
    For sneezles
    And wheezles,
    The manner of measles
    When new.
    They said "If he freezles
    In draughts and in breezles,
    Then PHTHEEZLES
    May even ensue."

    Christopher Robin
    Got up in the morning,
    The sneezles had vanished away.
    And the look in his eye
    Seemed to say to the sky,
    "Now, how to amuse them to-day?"

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  5. 23. The Moon

    Famous Poem


    This poem makes the moon seem like a living thing, and Robert Louis Stevenson shares all that it does while shining each night. It acts as a protector of the night, watching over people, animals, and places.

    The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
    She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
    On streets and fields and harbour quays,
    And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

    The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
    The howling dog by the door of the house,
    The bat that lies in bed at noon,
    All love to be out by the light of the moon.

    But all of the things that belong to the day
    Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
    And flowers and children close their eyes
    Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.

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    Really nice. There's not a much more spectacular site than a full moon, especially on a snow covered landscape.

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  6. 24. Waiting At The Window

    Famous Poem


    “Waiting at the Window” is about a child looking outside on a rainy day. He could be wishing to be outside playing, but then he notices the raindrops falling down the window. As he continues to watch, he sees the rain drops falling, and he pretends the raindrops are in a race to see which one will get to the bottom of the window first.

    These are my two drops of rain
    Waiting on the window-pane.

    I am waiting here to see
    Which the winning one will be.

    Both of them have different names.
    One is John and one is James.

    All the best and all the worst
    Comes from which of them is first.

    James has just begun to ooze.
    He's the one I want to lose.

    John is waiting to begin.
    He's the one I want to win.

    James is going slowly on.
    Something sort of sticks to John.

    John is moving off at last.
    James is going pretty fast.

    John is rushing down the pane.
    James is going slow again.

    James has met a sort of smear.
    John is getting very near.

    Is he going fast enough?
    (James has found a piece of fluff.)

    John has quickly hurried by.
    (James was talking to a fly.)

    John is there, and John has won!
    Look! I told you! Here's the sun!

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    Isn't it awesome how while there is rain we still have something to do!

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  7. 25. Wynken, Blynken, And Nod

    Famous Poem

    “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” is a whimsical poem that’s a perfect bedtime story about the adventures of three little fishermen. It’s a delightful poem to be read aloud to children as they close their eyes and nod their heads. Eugene Field (1850-1895) wrote poetry for children, often with an element of fantasy. Each stanza in this poem is made up of 12 lines, with the last three lines repeating in each stanza.

    Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
       Sailed off in a wooden shoe,—
    Sailed on a river of crystal light
       Into a sea of dew.
    "Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
       The old moon asked the three.
    "We have come to fish for the herring-fish
       That live in this beautiful sea;
       Nets of silver and gold have we,"
                Said Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

    The old moon laughed and sang a song,
       As they rocked in the wooden shoe;
    And the wind that sped them all night long
       Ruffled the waves of dew;
    The little stars were the herring-fish
       That lived in the beautiful sea.
    "Now cast your nets wherever you wish,—
       Never afraid are we!"
       So cried the stars to the fishermen three,
                Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

    All night long their nets they threw
       To the stars in the twinkling foam,—
    Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
       Bringing the fishermen home:
    'Twas all so pretty a sail, it seemed
       As if it could not be;
    And some folk thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed
       Of sailing that beautiful sea;
       But I shall name you the fishermen three:
                Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

    Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
       And Nod is a little head,
    And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
       Is a wee one's trundle-bed;
    So shut your eyes while Mother sings
       Of wonderful sights that be,
    And you shall see the beautiful things
       As you rock in the misty sea
       Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:—
                Wynken,
                Blynken,
                And Nod.

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  8. 26. Halfway Down

    Famous Poem


    “Halfway Down” is a poem written from a child’s perspective about the special spot in the middle of the staircase. What makes it special is it’s not at the top or bottom, it’s not upstairs or downstairs. It’s in a place all its own. Children have a wonderfully unique way of looking at the world.

    Halfway down the stairs
    Is a stair
    Where I sit.
    There isn't any
    Other stair
    Quite like
    It.
    I'm not at the bottom,
    I'm not at the top;
    So this is the stair
    Where
    I always
    Stop.

    Halfway up the stairs
    Isn't up
    And isn't down.
    It isn't in the nursery,
    It isn't in the town.
    And all sorts of funny thoughts
    Run round my head.
    It isn't really
    Anywhere!
    It's somewhere else
    Instead!

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    My mum and dad would read and recite all of AA Milne's poems and stories to the four of us in the early 1950's. There was one piece that I can vaguely remember; it was about a leather donkey...

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  9. 27. The Spider And The Fly

    Famous Poem


    "The Spider and the Fly" is a poem by Mary Howitt (1799-1888), published in 1828. The story tells of a cunning Spider who ensnares a Fly through the use of seduction and flattery. The poem teaches children to be wary against those who use flattery and charm to disguise their true evil intentions. The gruesome ending in this cautionary tale is used to reinforce the important life lesson being taught.

    "Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;
    "'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
    The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
    And I have many curious things to show when you are there."
    "Oh no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain,
    For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

    "I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.
    Well you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.
    "There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
    And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
    "Oh no, no," said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said,
    They never, never wake again who sleep upon your bed!"

    Said the cunning spider to the fly: "Dear friend, what can I do
    To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?
    I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;
    I'm sure you're very welcome - will you please to take a slice?"
    "Oh no, no," said the little fly; "kind sir, that cannot be:
    I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

    "Sweet creature!" said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise;
    How handsome are your gauzy wings; how brilliant are your eyes!
    I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
    If you'd step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
    "I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,
    And, bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

    The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
    For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again:
    So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
    And set his table ready to dine upon the fly;
    Then came out to his door again and merrily did sing:
    "Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with pearl and silver wing;
    Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest upon your head;
    Your eyes are like diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

    Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,
    Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
    With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer grew,
    Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and purple hue,
    Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing! at last
    Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast;
    He dragged her up his winding stair, into the dismal den -
    Within his little parlor - but she ne'er came out again!

    And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
    To idle, silly flattering words I pray you ne'er give heed;
    Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,
    And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the fly.

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  10. 28. Lester

    Famous Poem

    Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) is one of the most well-known children’s poets. His poems are fun and humorous, but many of them also include a lesson. This poem teaches a lesson about greed. The subject of this poem is given a magic wish, and he continues to wish for more wishes. His selfishness continues throughout his life until he finds that he has not used any wishes. He misses out on everything in life because he’s so concerned about getting more and more.

    Lester was given a magic wish
    By the goblin who lives in the banyan tree,
    And with his wish he wished for two more wishes-
    So now instead of just one wish, he cleverly had three.
    And with each one of these
    He simply wished for three more wishes,
    Which gave him three old wishes, plus nine new.
    And with each of these twelve
    He slyly wished for three more wishes,
    Which added up to forty-six -- or is it fifty-two?
    Well anyway, he used each wish
    To wish for wishes 'til he had
    Five billion, seven million, eighteen thousand thirty-four.
    And then he spread them on the ground
    And clapped his hands and danced around
    And skipped and sang, and then sat down
    And wished for more.
    And more...and more...they multiplied
    While other people smiled and cried
    And loved and reached and touched and felt.
    Lester sat amid his wealth
    Stacked mountain-high like stacks of gold,
    Sat and counted -- and grew old.
    And then one Thursday night they found him
    Dead -- with his wishes piled around him.
    And they counted the lot and found that not
    A single one was missing.
    All shiny and new -- here, take a few
    And think of Lester as you do.
    In a world of apples and kisses and shoes
    He wasted his wishes on wishing.

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  11. 29. Being Brave At Night

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    During the day children are busy and don't have time to waste worrying about silly monsters, but children lying in bed at night waiting to fall asleep have lots of time to worry about invading giants, ghosts or elephants. To a child's mind, sticking close to an all powerful parent is actually a really sensible survival strategy.
    Being Brave At Night is published in the book Rhymes Of Childhood (1924), a collection of poems by Edgar A. Guest about home, childhood and family.

    The other night 'bout two o'clock, or maybe it was three,
    An elephant with shining tusks came chasing after me.
    His trunk was wavin' in the air an'  spoutin' jets of steam
    An' he was out to eat me up, but still I didn't scream
    Or let him see that I was scared - a better thought I had,
    I just escaped from where I was and crawled in bed with Dad.

    One time there was a giant who was horrible to see,
    He had three heads and twenty arms, an' he came after me
    And red hot fire came from his mouths and every hand was red
    And he declared he'd grind my bones and make them into bread.
    But I was just too smart for him, I fooled him mighty bad,
    Before his hands could collar me I crawled in bed with Dad.

    I ain't scared of nothin' that comes pesterin' me at night.
    Once I was chased by forty ghosts all shimmery an' white.
    An' I just raced 'em round the room an' let 'em think maybe
    I'd have to stop an' rest awhile, when they could capture me.
    Then when they leapt onto my bed, Oh Gee! But they were mad
    To find that I had slipped away an' crawled in bed with Dad.

    No giants, ghosts or elephants have dared to come in there
    'Coz if they did he'd beat 'em up and chase 'em to their lair.
    They just hang 'round the children's rooms
    an' snap an' snarl an' bite
    An' laugh if they can make 'em yell
    for help with all their might.
    But I don't ever yell out loud. I'm not that sort of lad,
    I slip from out the covers and I crawl in bed with Dad.

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    This is truly a great poem describing the vivid imagination of children, and it does seem that children have an even deeper imagination when it comes to bedtime! I think this is a great poem...

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  12. 30. Listen To The MUSTN'TS

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    Although Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) wrote poetry for young children, adults can glean many lessons from his pieces. This poem is filled with lessons on dreaming and persevering. Don’t allow others to get you down, because in the end, anything is possible.

    Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,
    Listen to the DON'TS
    Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
    The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT'S
    Listen to the NEVER HAVES
    Then listen close to me-
    Anything can happen, child,
    ANYTHING can be

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    I love this poem because I have been writing love letters to my two teenagers and eight year old for fifteen years reminding them of what they shouldn't.

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  13. 31. Dirty Face

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    Shel Silverstein, who died in 1999, was a singer, song writer, poet and author of many children's books. "Dirty Face" is a fun poem to read for both children and adults. Silverstein reminisces fondly about the carefree childhood existence.

    Where did you get such a dirty face,
    My darling dirty-faced child?
    I got it from crawling along in the dirt
    And biting two buttons off Jeremy's shirt.
    I got it from chewing the roots of a rose
    And digging for clams in the yard with my nose.
    I got it from peeking into a dark cave
    And painting myself like a Navajo brave.
    I got it from playing with coal in the bin
    And signing my name in cement with my chin.
    I got if from rolling around on the rug
    And giving the horrible dog a big hug.
    I got it from finding a lost silver mine
    And eating sweet blackberries right off the vine.
    I got it from ice cream and wrestling and tears
    And from having more fun than you've had in years.

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    So cute!! Like the spaghetti, chocolate, ice-cream. It's the kids that get the dirtiest, that have the most fun. It's a lifetime of adventure and silliness that they will remember forever....

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  14. 32. The Land Of Nod

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    This poem captures the uniqueness of dreaming. At night, we are given a chance to escape from our reality and be present in an entirely different world. Even though it feels real, it cannot be fully explained or located outside of sleep.

    From breakfast on through all the day
    At home among my friends I stay,
    But every night I go abroad
    Afar into the land of Nod.
    All by myself I have to go,
    With none to tell me what to do–
    All alone beside the streams
    And up the mountain-sides of dreams.
    The strangest things are these for me,
    Both things to eat and things to see,
    And many frightening sights abroad
    Till morning in the land of Nod.
    Try as I like to find the way,
    I never can get back by day,
    Nor can remember plain and clear
    The curious music that I hear.

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    It's a simple yet great poem. We cannot ignore the importance of sleeping and dreaming. Dream big and try hard to achieve it.

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  15. 33. The Swing

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    Swinging provides an entirely new perspective of the world around you. It is a freeing activity that makes you feel like you’re flying. You feel as though you’re on top of the world, and it’s a staple of the childhood experience.

    How do you like to go up in a swing,
    Up in the air so blue?
    Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
    Ever a child can do!

    Up in the air and over the wall,
    Till I can see so wide,
    River and trees and cattle and all
    Over the countryside--

    Till I look down on the garden green,
    Down on the roof so brown--
    Up in the air I go flying again,
    Up in the air and down!

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    The poem is really relaxing. I smiled as I read; it's just like riding a swing. Simple things like this make life beautiful. And the garden green, the roof so brown, the air so blue.... it's...

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  16. 34. Puppy And I

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    Looking for the perfect friend always ready to play? A puppy is the perfect playmate always ready to have fun!
    This poem by A.A. Milne, author of Winnie-the-Pooh, praises the qualities of the playful puppy.

    I met a Man as I went walking:
    We got talking,
    Man and I.
    "Where are you going to, Man?" I said
      (I said to the Man as he went by).
    "Down to the village, to get some bread.
      Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

    I met a horse as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Horse and I.
    "Where are you going to, Horse, today?"
      (I said to the Horse as he went by).
    "Down to the village to get some hay.
      Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

    I met a Woman as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Woman and I.
    "Where are you going to, Woman, so early?"
      (I said to the Woman as she went by).
    "Down to the village to get some barley.
      Will you come with me?" "No, not I."

    I met some Rabbits as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Rabbits and I.
    "Where are you going in your brown fur coats?"
      (I said to the Rabbits as they went by).
    "Down to the village to get some oats.
      Will you come with us?" "No, not I."

    I met a Puppy as I went walking;
    We got talking,
    Puppy and I.
    "Where are you going this nice fine day?"
      (I said to the Puppy as he went by).
    "Up to the hills to roll and play."
    "I'll come with you, Puppy," said I.

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  17. 35. My Shadow

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    A child tries to understand the concept of his shadow. He finds it to be a silly companion who doesn’t seem to understand how it ought to act.

    I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
    And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
    He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
    And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
    The funniest things about him is the way he likes to grow-
    Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
    For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India rubber ball,
    And he sometimes gets so little that there's none of him at all.
    He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
    And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
    He stays so close beside me, he's a coward you can see;
    I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!
    One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
    I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
    But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
    Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

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  18. 36. From A Railway Carriage

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    Published in the 1885 A Child’s Garden of Verses, this poem mimics the steady movement of a train through the use of rhythm and rhymes. It engages the senses through sights and sounds and will entice children with its excitement and energy.

    Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
    Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
    And charging along like troops in a battle
    All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
    All of the sights of the hill and the plain
    Fly as thick as driving rain;
    And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
    Painted stations whistle by.
    Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,
    All by himself and gathering brambles;
    Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
    And here is the green for stringing the daisies!
    Here is a cart runaway in the road
    Lumping along with man and load;
    And here is a mill, and there is a river:
    Each a glimpse and gone forever!

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  19. 37. I'd Love To Be A Fairy's Child

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    Robert Graves was an English poet who lived from 1895-1985. He became known as a war poet, and he published three books of poetry while on active duty during World War I. This poem was published the same year the war ended, and it can be felt that Robert Graves was writing about his desire for children to face an easier life, one that’s not filled with so much pain, suffering, and unmet needs.

    Children born of fairy stock
    Never need for shirt or frock,
    Never want for food or fire,
    Always get their heart's desire:
    Jingle pockets full of gold,
    Marry when they're seven years old.
    Every fairy child may keep
    Two strong ponies and ten sheep;
    All have houses, each his own,
    Built of brick or granite stone;
    They live on cherries, they run wild--
    I'd love to be a Fairy's child.

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    Very nice poem. It deals with the aspirations of children. Childhood is the stage of innocence, and the present poem describes the same. It's lyrical, rhythmic and rhymed.

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  20. 38. The Rainbow

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    There are many pretty sights in this world, some of which are manmade, but nothing compares to the beauty found in nature. The beauty of clouds and rainbows cannot be replicated by human hands.

    Boats sail on the rivers,
      And ships sail on the seas;
    But clouds that sail across the sky
      Are prettier far than these.

    There are bridges on the rivers,
      As pretty as you please;
    But the bow that bridges heaven,
      And overtops the trees,
    And builds a road from earth to sky,
      Is prettier far than these.

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    My 11-year-old daughter loved this and learned quickly to recite it.

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  21. 39. Story Telling

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    Children love to be told bedtime stories. The more the storyteller acts out, the more captivating the tale. This is an enjoyable poem about a father telling his children stories before bed. While the mother doesn’t fully understand why he makes such a scene, the children can’t get enough of their father’s made-up stories.

    Most every night when they're in bed,
    And both their little prayers have said,
    They shout for me to come upstairs
    And tell them tales of gypsies bold,
    And eagles with the claws that hold
    A baby's weight, and fairy sprites
    That roam the woods on starry nights.

    And I must illustrate these tales,
    Must imitate the northern gales
    That toss the native man's canoe,
    And show the way he paddles, too.
    If in the story comes a bear,
    I have to pause and sniff the air
    And show the way he climbs the trees
    To steal the honey from the bees.

    And then I buzz like angry bees
    And sting him on his nose and knees
    And howl in pain, till mother cries:
    "That pair will never shut their eyes,
    While all that noise up there you make;
    You're simply keeping them awake."
    And then they whisper: "Just one more,"
    And once again I'm forced to roar.

    New stories every night they ask.
    And that is not an easy task;
    I have to be so many things,
    The frog that croaks, the lark that sings,
    The cunning fox, the frightened hen;
    But just last night they stumped me, when
    They wanted me to twist and squirm
    And imitate an angle worm.

    At last they tumble off to sleep,
    And softly from their room I creep
    And brush and comb the shock of hair
    I tossed about to be a bear.
    Then mother says: "Well, I should say
    You're just as much a child as they."
    But you can bet I'll not resign
    That story telling job of mine.

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    Grandpa sat with cigar at his side (rarely in his mouth), his bushy gray eyebrows and mustache crouched in intense concentration, a chess piece or book in hand in most of my memories. But...

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  22. 40. The Good Little Boy

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    In this charming poem by Edgar Guest (1881-1959), the speaker shares about a young boy who never did anything wrong. Edgar Guest had a way of writing uplifting poems, and he wrote prolifically, publishing one poem a day for 30 years. The dialect in this poem contributes to its laid-back nature.

    Once there was a boy who never
    Tore his clothes, or hardly ever,
    Never made his sister mad,
    Never whipped fer bein' bad,
    Never scolded by his Ma,
    Never frowned at by his Pa,
    Always fit fer folks to see,
    Always good as good could be.

    This good little boy from Heaven,
    So I'm told, was only seven,
    Yet he never shed real tears
    When his mother scrubbed his ears,
    An' at times when he was dressed
    Fer a party, in his best,
    He was careful of his shirt
    Not to get it smeared with dirt.

    Used to study late at night,
    Learnin' how to read an' write;
    When he played a baseball game,
    Right away he always came
    When his mother called him in.
    An' he never made a din
    But was quiet as a mouse
    when they'd comp'ny in the house.

    Liked to wash his hands an' face,
    Liked to work around the place;
    Never, when he'd tired of play,
    Left his wagon in the way,
    Or his bat an' ball around--
    Put 'em where they could be found;
    An' that good boy married Ma,
    An' to-day he is my Pa.

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