“‘You can think what you like,’ ses the grasshopper, ‘but say what other people like if you want to be a good politician.’
“‘There’s nothin’ so much abused as politics,’ ses the whale.
“‘Except politicians,’ ses the grasshopper. ‘Only for the Irish they’d be no one bothering about poetry and the drama to-day. Only for fools they’d be no wise people an’ only for sprats, hake, and mackerel there ’ud be no whales an’ a good job that would be, too.’
“‘What’s that you’re saying?’ ses the whale very sharply.
“‘Don’t have me to lose me temper with you,’ ses the grasshopper.
“‘Wisha, bad luck to your impudence an’ bad manners, you insignificant little spalpeen. How dare you insult your superiors?’ ses the whale.
“‘Who’s me superior?’ ses the grasshopper. ‘You, is it?’
“‘Yes, me then,’ ses the whale.
“‘Another word from you,’ ses the whale, ‘an’ I’ll put you where Napoleon put the oysters.’
“‘Well,’ ses the grasshopper, ‘there’s no doubt but vanity, ignorance and ambition are three wonderful things an’ you have them all.’