[Illustration:
John is cleverer than the old witch
And he has her in a trap.]
[Illustration]
PETER and John, against the rule,
Are playing truant from their school.
With eager steps away they go
To seek a fishing pool they know.
But see a witch is hiding there--
She'll catch them if they don't take care.
Oh boys! make haste and hurry past!
No--she has caught them tight and fast.
[Illustration]
And now away with them she hies,
In spite of all their kicks and cries.
She hurries home and shuts the door
And then she drops them on the floor.
"These boys are plump and soft," says she,
"A fine fat meal they'll make for me.
I'll fill my very biggest pot,
And cook them when the water's hot."
[Illustration]
But while her pot she's getting out,
The frightened Peter looks about.
He sees the bread trough open wide,
And into it he jumps to hide;
Then with a bump he shuts the lid.
And there he lies all safely hid.
But the old witch has heard the sound.
And quick she turns herself around.
[Illustration]
She peers about with blinking eyes,
"Where is that other boy?" she cries.
"He can't have run away so quick.
He must be hiding for a trick."
"You haven't treated me so well
That you can think I want to tell,
But if you look outside," says John,
"Maybe you'll see which way he's gone."
[Illustration]
The old witch throws the window wide
And leans to look about outside.
But while she's peering all around
John creeps up close without a sound,
And shuts the window on her tight,
And holds it down with all his might.
'Tis vain for her to kick and bawl,
John does not heed her cries at all.
[Illustration]
"Quick, Peter! Bring me from the shelf
Hammer and nails. Bestir yourself."
Out from the dough-trough Peter springs;
Quickly he fetches John the things.
"Here they are, brother!" Now, tap-tap!
John drives the nails with many a rap.
He has the window nailed at last
So tight 'twill hold the old witch fast.
[Illustration]
No matter how she squirms and cries,
She can't get loose howe'er she tries.
But now the little boys are free
To run on home, as you may see.
I'm sure it will be many a day
Before again from school they stay.
As for the witch, if she's stuck tight
Until this day it serves her right.