Little Kitty Striker saw
A handsome, fat, old goose
Out a-walking with her gosling.
And she said,--"Now what's the use,
Of letting that old waddler have
Such a pretty thing as that?
I'll run right out and get it;
I'll go without my hat."
Out she ran upon the dusty path,
On the grass, all wet with dew,
And the old goose turned round quickly,
She wished an interview.
And Kitty said,--"Oh, open your mouth
As much as ever you please;
I'm going to take your gosling,
Because I love to tease
Such a cranky, impudent squawker as you."
And she laughed right out, and stooped
To take the toddling little thing,
When down upon her swooped,
The angry goose with hisses fierce,
And wildly flapping wing,
And gave her a nip that was no joke!
On the heel of her red stocking!
Miss Kitty screamed, but tightly held
The little yellow ball,
And you know she'd not the shadow of right
To that goose's gosling at all.
Then its mother made a terrible snap
At Kitty's pretty blue dress!
And that thoughtless, mischievous little girl,
Was pretty well frightened I guess.
For she jumped and screamed, danced round like a top,
And the goose's eyes flashed red;
And she struck her wings in Kitty's eyes,
And on her little brown head!
She dropped the gosling, and ran for home,
Screaming, and crying,--"Boo! hoo!"
And learned a lesson she never forgot,
And it's as wholesome for me and for you,
That it's best to be kind to our barnyard friends,
And let them have their fun too.