The Monkey and the Nuts
A monkey, being fond of nuts,
Thought he would have some roasted;
But how was he to get them done,
Not liking to be toasted?
A poor young cat was passing by,
And innocently watches;
The wicked monkey saw her stop,
And at his victim snatches.
"Dear pussy, you are just the one
That I've been looking out for;
How beautiful you look to-day,
But tell me what you pout for!
Upon my word I long have had
For you a fond affection;
Now you shall stay and dine with me,
Or take some slight refection."
"Twas no use for poor puss to speak,
Or offer to deny him,
The monkey had her in his grasp,
And she could not deny him.
So he began to laugh and chat,
And show a few grimaces;
Oh! if you had but seen, like me,
The contrast of their faces.
He put some nuts into her paw,
And he the fire approaches,
As if a salamander she.
Or made of young cockroaches.
The poor cat now began to squall,
Her face the fire attacking;
And sadly too, her paw was burnt,
The while the nuts were cracking.
The monkey having feasted well
Began to snarl and grumble,
That he should be so taken in
With nuts he scarce could mumble.
"Dear me," he said, "how they are burnt,"
And at poor pussy looking,
"I cannot think how I could bear
Such miserable cooking.
And what a fuss you make about
A little bit of warning;
I've often done the thing myself—
There's nothing so alarming.
Now take this for yourself," he said,
"And next time be less squalling:"
Then gave the cat a hearty cuff,
Which sent the poor thing sprawling.
"Now let me give you this advice,
For I am one of letters:
Leave off your rude, obstreperous way,
When you are with your betters.
And think yourself well off," he said,
"That I had mercy on you;
For many would have sent you home
Without a dress upon you."
Mrs. W. Taylor

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Page 161—More Pussy Land

My Own Puss
I wish you could just see my cat:
She's a darling, there's no doubt of that:
So soft, and so sleek, and so fat.
Her eyes are a beautiful green,
The brightest that ever were seen:
Of cats she is truly the queen.
She loves to lie stretched in the sun
But as soon as my lessons are done,
She is ready for frolic and fun.
My kitty has two sets of claws,
Tucked away in those velvety paws:
She can use them, too, when there is cause.
I cannot thin what I should do,
If, my pussy, I ever lost you:
We're so happy together, we two!
I call her my bundle of fur:
Hark! now she's beginning to purr:
Kit loves me, and oh, I love her!
The Frolicsome Kitten
Dear kitten, do lie still, I say,
How much I want you to be quiet,
Instead of scampering away,
And always making such a riot.
There, only see! you've torn my frock,
And poor mamma must put a patch in;
I'll give you a right earnest knock,
To cure you of this trick of scratching.
Nay, do not scold your little cat,
She does not know what 'tis you're saying;
And every time you give a pat,
She thinks you mean it all for playing.
But if your pussy understood
The lesson that you want to teach her,
And did not choose to be so good,
She'd be, indeed, a naughty creature.
Putting Kitty to Bed
Kitty, Kitty, go to sleep,
Shut your eyes, and don't you peep.
Sing with me your little song,
We will not make it very long.
Hurry Kitty for to see
Mamma soon will come for me,
And I must see you safe in bed
All covered up except your head.
And while I rock you in my chair,
You must purr your little prayer,
Altho' you say it soft an low,
'Twill all be just the same you know.
Mamma makes me bend my knee,
But Kitty dear, you can't, you see,
For you're too little yet to try—
See! I'm so big, and tall, and high.
And then you can't say any words,
No more than chicks, or little birds.
But I've heard the Bible tell
That even birds are cared for well.
M. E. S.