"Open, open, my children dear,"
A gruff voice cried: "your mother is here."
But the young ones answered, "No, no, no,
Her voice is sweet and low;
"And you are the wolf—so go away,
You can't get in, if you try all day."
He laughed to himself to hear them talk,
And wished he had some chalk,
To smooth his voice to a tone like geese;
So he went to the merchant's and bought a piece,