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Little Chinkey Chow-Chow (The Boy That Ran Away) There was a little Chinese Boy, That ran away from home— "Ha! ha!" he said, "I'll see the world And through the streets I'll roam. "I won't go any more to school, Or go so soon to bed, Nor yet be scolded if I choose To stand upon my head." So little Chinkey ran away, His tail flew in the wind; He thought not of his good mamma Who was so very kind: He knew she could not follow him Along the crowded street, Because mammas in China have Such very tiny feet. Now, as he went along he saw Such strange and lovely sights, Such pretty painted houses— Such tops! and oh! such kites! He saw so many gilded toys, and ivory things so white, That he forgot about the time, Until he found it night. Ah! then he saw such fireworks! They glistened in his eyes; The crackers and the lanterns too Quite took him by surprise. He listened to the music of The fiddle and the gong, And felt that it was jolly, though He knew that it was wrong. But after that he began to think Things were not so bright; The men were going, and there came The watchman of the night; And sleep was stealing over him, He scarce could lift his head, So he lay on the cold, cold stones, Which served him for a bed. Little Chinkey Chow-Chow Woke up with early light, And wandered far away from where He passed the dreary night; He was so very worn and cold, And sadly wanted food, So he sat upon a well In not a pleasant mood. He saw the well was very deep, The water too was clear, And soon he saw a golden fish That looked so very near. He stretched his hand to catch the fish; But oh! how sad to tell, He tumbled over and he sank To the bottom of the well. Some other boys were playing there And saw him disappear, And ran along the road to see If anyone was near. A Great BIG Market Gardener, Was soon upon the ground, And caught our little Chinkey up, Who soon would have been drowned. The boys began to jeer at him, For he was very wet; They pulled his dripping tail, and called Him names that I forget. One took his wooden shoes away, Another took his hat, And someone said, "It serves him right," Now only think of that! When little Chinkey ran away, His tail flew in the wind; But when our Chinkey turned again His tail hung down behind. He wandered past the painted shops, Where they put up the tea, And I am sure the boys at school Were happier than he. Poor Chinkey Chow was very tired, And very sore his feet, When his mother saw him from The corner of a street. She said he was a wicked boy, And ought to have a smack! And yet I think she loved him more Because she'd got him back. Now when I see a Chinaman, And that is every day, I wonder if he is, grown up, The boy that ran away. But what I still think most about When I this story tell, Is the GREAT BIG Market Gardener That raised him from the well From Calvert's Australian Toy Books |
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