Ann’s recitation was well received. The parrot said he was very familiar with the kitty kind of cat—in fact, had instructed a good many of them.
Amos remarked that, with so many beasts coming to learn, the place would soon be filled to overflowing.
“Oh, no,” said the parrot. “The same train that brings in a crowd takes a crowd away.”
“Train?” Amos repeated, his eyes round with curiosity.
“To be sure—train,” the parrot answered. “You don’t mean to tell me you never heard of the Wild Beast Limited?”
Then he preened his feathers with pride and chanted the song of the Wild Beast Limited.
“The Wild Beast Limited pulls out
With bustle and with fuss.
It’s hard to seat the porcupine
And hippopotamus.
“The ants demand a special coach
If one ant-eater goes;
The dormouse wants a sleeping car;
The chickens shun the crows;
“The camel will not stir a peg
Until his fill he’s drunk;
The elephant is loud and cross
Until he checks his trunk;