"I wonder," says puss,
"If a thing like that
Would presume to bite
A respectable cat?
'Tis the queerest thing
That ever I saw;
I'll hit it a slap
With my strong forepaw.
No! No! On the whole
I had better not;
But what curious claws
The creature has got!
I'll just step up
And quietly ask it
How it got out
Of that market-basket.
I'll play with the animal,
Just to see
If it wants to do
Any harm to me.
No! I thank I had better
Get out of its way,
And I surely am safer
Not even to play.
For I'll get into trouble,
And horribly wail,
If that thing with the claws
Takes a grip on my tail."