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Jim: Who ran away from his Nurse, and was eaten by a Lion - Hilaire Belloc
There was a boy whose name was Jim;
His friends were very good to him.
They gave him Tea, and Cakes, and Jam,
And slices of delicious Ham,
And Chocolate with pink inside,
And little tricycles to ride.
And read him stories through and through,
And even took him to the Zoo -
But there is was the dreadful Fate
Befell him, which I now relate.
You know, at least you OUGHT to know,
For I have often told you so -
That Children never are allowed
To leave theri Nurses in a Crowd;
Now this was Jim's especial foible,
Ha ran away when he was able,
And on this inauspicious day
He slipped his hand and ran away!
He hadn't gone a yard when -
Bang!
With open jaws, a Lion sprang,
And hungrily began to eat
The Boy: beginning with his feet.
Now just imagine how it feels
When first your toes and then your heels,
And then by gradual degrees,
Your shins and ankles, calves and knees
Are slowly eaten bit by bit.
No wonder Jim detested it!
No wonder that he shouted "Hi!"
The Honest Keeper heard his cry,
Though very fat, he almost ran
To help the little gentleman.
"Ponto!" he ordered as he came
(For Ponto was the lion's name),
"Ponto!" he cried, with angry Frown.
"Let go Sir! Down Sir! Put it down!"
The Lion made a sudden stop
He let the Dainty Morsel drop,
And slunk reluctant to his Cage,
Snarling with Dissapointed Rage,
But when he bent him over Jim,
The Honest Keeper's eyes were dim.
The Lion having reached his Head,
The miserable boy was dead!
When Nurse informed his Parents, they
Were more Concerned than I can say:-
His Mother, as She dried her eyes,
Said, "Well - it gives me no surprise,
He would no do as he was told!"
His Father, who was self-controlled,
Bade all the children round attend
To James' miserable end,
And always keep a hold of Nurse
For fear of finding something worse. |
