There was once a boy named Nathan Green.
He was never rude and never mean.
But everyone was scared of him,
Nancy, Dennis, Tom and Tim.
Nick and Susan, Mike and James,
Never let him play their games.
He knew why, but didn't say.
His mom said he was born that way.
Nathan's hands aren't hands at all.
They're bigger than a basketball.
They're covered brown by furry hair,
Just like paws on any bear.
Nathan hated both his paws.
He never used their mighty claws.
It's also hard to make a friend
When there's a tail on your rear end.
It's black and white and wags around.
When it swats, you hear a sound.
His mom said, "Never be ashamed",
But classmates said, "He should be tamed!"
He taped his tail down everyday,
But still they wouldn't let him play.
"He can't join; he'll pop the ball!"
So recess wasn't fun at all.
He wished his tail were off his rear.
He wished his paws would disappear.
But then one day...
In class he learned about a creature.
"It's very special," said his teacher.
"Tail of a beaver, bill of a duck,
Feet of an otter, just his luck!"
"He needs them all to stay alive,
They're each a gift to help him survive."
"What is it?" called out Nathan loudly.
"A PLATYPUS!" said teacher proudly.
Nathan couldn't help but smile.
All this time, all the while,
He had never seen the truth--
His paws and tail must have a use!
From that day on, he changed his ways.
No one's scared of him these days.
His tail is wagging when he sits,
His paws are helpful baseball mitts.
Kids love to see him open drinks.
They like the splashing, Nathan thinks.
His tail, in summer, keeps him cool.
His friends crowd round when he's at school.
His newest classmate wants to meet him.
Nathan wonders how she'll treat him.
Teacher makes the class grow quiet,
"No one speak, don't even try it."
"There's someone here you all should meet.
This is Martha Hippofeet."
Nathan likes her.