THE BALLAD OF THE BUMPTIOUS BOY
"Those crackers are lighted! Be careful!
They're going off—don't stand so near!"
But the Bumptious Boy heeded no warning,
And this is what happened. O dear!
"The ice is thin," said the Policeman.
"I advise you, my lad, not to go."
But the Bumptious Boy thought he knew better,
And skated off proudly. And so—
"Our donkey will not let you ride him—
He's sure to give you a spill!"
But the Bumptious Boy only pooh-poohed them,
And would not believe them until—
"Look out there! That branch will not hold you!
Don't try any higher to climb!"
But the Bumptious Boy laughed and climbed higher:
That laugh was his last for some time.
Then during a long convalescence
The Bumptious Boy thoughtfully thought
Of the painful misfortunes and troubles
That he on himself oft had brought.
