“But this isn’t the first of April,” the children began, astonished.
J. M. pinched their elbows. “Don’t contradict him,” he whispered. “He really doesn’t know any better, you see.”
“Have you heard the latest news? [asked the Fool]
Cows, this year, wear button shoes;
Dogs will dress in pantaloons;
So will monkeys, minks, and coons;
Cats go gay in capes and shawls;
Robins carry parasols;
Bossy calves and nanny-goats
Skip in scalloped petticoats;
Molly hares and bunny rabbits
Look their best in jumping-habits;
Babies are to dress in bearskins
(If they can be made to wear skins);
Grown-up folks in straw or leather,
Just whichever suits the weather.
These styles are the latest thing,
Brought from Paris for the Spring,
Neat and natty, trim and cool”—
“April Fool!” cried Amos. He felt sure that was coming.
But the Fool merely put his hand to his ear. “Did you call me?” he asked politely.
The children shook with laughter at that, and the April Fool turned to the Journeying Man. “Your turn,” he said.
This is the April poem that the Journeying Man recited for the rest:—
“Young Peter Puck and his brothers wrote
To the wise wood-people a little note.
It said, ‘If you’ll meet us by Ripply Pond,
Wonders we’ll show with our magic wand.’
‘What shall we do?’ said the forest-folk.
‘Maybe it’s merely a practical joke.’
But they went, good souls, and they only found
A bare, bare bush and the green, green ground.
‘But watch,’ said the fairies, ‘and you shall see
Animals grow on a tiny tree.’
“The rabbits and squirrels felt aggrieved;
They thought that surely they’d been deceived.
But Peter Puck, at the head of the band,
Called, ‘Come, come, Kitty!’ and waved his hand.
Then the buds on the pussy-willow bush
All became kittens as soft as plush—
Smooth, round kittens, quite calm and fat;
On every twig hung a little cat.
And the fairies danced, and the glad wood-folk
Cried, ‘Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful joke!’”