Tommy's First Day at School.
“Tommy, my dear,” said the old Tabby Cat,
“Here is your pinafore, put on your hat,
And go off to school with the others at once:
We don't want our kitten to grow up a dunce.”
But Tommy was naughty, “I won't go,” he said.
“Well, choose,” said his mother, “between that and bed;
You either shall go off to school as I say,
Or go straight to bed for the rest of the day!”
At this Tommy's cousin looked in at the door,
And gave a loud mew of surprise when he saw
The kitten was crying:—“Why, what's that I see?
Come, Tommy,” he said, “come to school then with me.”
He took Tommy's paw, and old Tabby Cat said,
As she stood at the door with a cap on her head,
“Now, Tommy, remember! if good you will be,
I'll catch you a mouse or a rat for your tea.”
So Tommy was dragged by the paw up the lane,
Nor stopped he his mewing at all till they came
To where old Dame Smut kept a school for those cats,
Who learnt something more than the killing of rats.
The kitten ceased mewing, and gazed on the rows
Of good little cats, and he murmured, “Who knows
That p'raps after all I shall like school as well,
And quite enjoy learning to write and to spell!”
When lessons were over, Dame Smut said, “I see
That Tommy a very good kitten can be.”
And Tommy in triumph laughed gaily the while
He ate up the mouse for his tea with a smile.
Edith Grabham.
An Elephant at work.
