They all stand on green rings
Of grass. Perhaps at night
The cows and sheep and things
Prowled round to steal a bite.
Horrid for Shem to feel
Tickling around his toes,
Hoping to snatch a meal,
Two hungry buffaloes!
But think what lovely pets
Noah had all for his own;
Each one in double sets,
And mostly quite unknown.
Even a tame baboon!—
See, he is painted red—
Would get to know you soon
And sleep upon your bed.
The kangaroo that jumps,
Camels that learn to kneel
And let you ride their bumps,
Or follow you to heel.
The pets that I keep now
Are guinea-pigs and such;
My parents won't allow
The ones I want so much.
A baby crocodile
Or really tame giraffe,
I wonder why you smile;
They, too, say "no" and laugh.
I would have loved it so
To travel in the Ark,
With all the Zoo, you know—
Except when it was dark!