They climbed up into the chairs and Mother Curly-Tail said,

“Dishes will come if I don’t mistake it,

And a politeness lesson, if you’ll take it.”

In came the dishes, knives, forks, and spoons, and they all jumped to their proper places upon the table.

In came a kettle of food, smoking hot.

The Three Little Curly-Tails said, “Oh Ma, please help our plates first, we are so hungry.”

Mother Curly-Tail said,

“Visitors first, if you please,

Be polite, and do not tease.”