Introductory material

Eric said to Jupiter: "Here I am. Good morning, Sir, What are your small planets worth? Give me one. I'll take the Earth."

Van! Van! Caravan! Who is the camel and which is the man?

Jack the Rabbit Has the habit When you look him in the face He is in some other place.

I never saw an Elephant But that's no symptom that I sha'n't.

My little 'Potamus and I Walk hand in hand when roads are dry, But when the clouds begin to rain, I creep into his mouth again.

My Crocodile is good to me— He is as nice as he can be; But when I go out for a ride, I'd rather not come back inside.

If the Giraffe were not so tall He'd be an Awful Cannibal, But just before he goes to bed He sits awhile upon his head.

This little beast is called a Goat, He isn't anything of note, But give him a tomato can And he's a match for any Man.

The 'Possum sees the little boy; It does not seem to give him joy.

Old Sea Catch comes out on the shore To Roar, And then he thinks it's time once more To Roar, And then he thinks he'll have to roar Some more!

I would not like to be a Quail, And have Salt sprinkled on my Tail.

The Ptarmigan lives in the Snow; Can Eric see him? I don't know.

If I were born a Pelican, I'd try my best to be a Man!

If I were born a Man, I'd wish I might associate with Fish.

If I were born a fish— but then, No use to wish: Men must be Men.

The Lion looks like Santa Claus, I think that this should give him paws. When he on Lionizing's bent, He always looks benevolent.

Phryne is the beast, his name, Eric loves him just the same; On his back, see, if you please, Eric's name in Japanese.

This Reptile is a hardened sinner; But when a friend drops in for dinner, He greets him with an open smile, And makes him merry quite a while. O let us, like this Reptile, be Renowned for Hospitality!

The Lobster's home is in the Sea; It is as humble as may be. But he has wandered far afield, And now his presence is revealed Within our best Society. This Lesson to us all is sent To lend us due Encouragement.

A Cat may look at any King, If he cares for that sort of thing; And, if he likes the likes of that, Most any King can see a Cat.

Little children at their play, Happy, scrappy all the day.

There were six Kings of Yvetôt; They stood up there all in a row, And every time they looked around They cast their eyes upon the ground. I do not like to look at Kings— They do such very awful things; For actions such as this must tend To make one's hair stand up on end!

Once a Monkey in Japan Vowed his destiny was Man; So he climbed up in a tree, Then I saw him wink at me.

These twain our ancestors must be, (Arboreal, undoubtedly) But this is true; it seems to me, If Adam looked like this and Eve, (With no intention to deceive) Thus in Creation's Rosy Dawn, I'm glad that I came later on.

In their dugout lives the Wunx With his jolly family; Tasting happiness in chunks, Just the same as you and me: Not much use the world to roam— Happiness is found at home. (After J. W. R.)

O, my Prophetic Soul! I see a Totem Pole— The only Ancient Screed That Hempl cannot read!

The children sing in far Japan; The children sing in Spain; The organ and the organ man Are singing in the rain! R. L. S.

The squally Cat and squeaky Mouse; The howly Dog, by the door of the house; The Bat that hangs to his bed till noon, They all come out by the light of the moon. R. L. S.

"The Hunter still the Deer pursues, The Hunter and the Deer a shade."

I never loved a fond Gazelle But it would jump and snort and yell.

A Bulldog by the river's brim, A sinful Bulldog was to him.

The Cats catch Mice and the Goblins chase the Elves, But the Squidgecumsquees they swallow themselves. (After J. W. R.)

On the Road to Mandalay Where the Flying Fishes play And the Dawn come up like thunder Out of China, 'cross the Bay. R. K.

It was the Mitgard Serpient, He grabbed the Earth and away he went; (The Mitgard Serpent was a Cat With a dozen legs, or about like that). He swallowed his tail with all his might, Then spit on his claws and held on tight; And so the world went round all right. And 'twas sometimes day and sometimes night, And 'twas always dark when it wasn't light.

There once was a brave Knight of Pendragon, Who tried to Saint George an old Dragon; But the Dragon had Claws At the ends of his Paws, (With no adequate Pauses At the ends of his Clauses). At last when the scrimmage was done, The Dragon had most of the Fun!

There once was a person in Spatsum Who et some and gave to his cat some; But just what he et That I cannot tell yet, But 'twas probably Flotsam and Jetsam.

I know a magic circle in the Sea Etched on the blue with pale gray coral sand. A mountain sank there once, amid the spray, Its widening eddies stiffened into land With lazy surges flapping on the strand!

One day the Storm Wind came to town And the Barometer went down. And all the dogs and cats had wings— And so had all the other things.

Little Eric in the dark Saw a Boojum and a Snark With a bunch of Gobelins; Also many other things. Such, a small boy sees in dreams When by night he ups and screams.

The Sun is down, The lazy Hound; The Moon is up, The little Pup. I see the Stars; One of 'em's Mars, I think the others Must be Pa's. The Stars shine bright, I'm sure it's night; Then go to bed, You sleepy-head!

The Porcupine's awake at Dawn To see how Eric's coming on.

"I never saw a Purple Cow!" How can I paint one? This is How!

When we have nothing else to do We ride together, I and Gnu; And if I'm feeling extra smart, I take him spinning in my cart!

Comes the Bobo from his lair, Cats and squirrels in his hair. Eric's not a bit afraid; He knows how such beasts are made.

Little Eric caught a Salmon Wandering through the field! Mother said: "It is alarmon' What our waters yield."

Bean soup is bad! It makes me mad When mother gives such stuff to me. But when I pour It on the floor I'm just as happy as I can be. When Mother spanks I give her thanks, Because I know 'tis good for me. A happy Boy Am I. O Joy! What time my Daddy paints for me!

Eric and his little Shadow Went out walking in the Meadow. Little Shadow got away— Haven't seen him since that day.

Here we go, O Gazibou! Eric's not afraid of you; You may scratch and reach and cough But you cannot throw him off!

When politicians bungle 'Tis quiet in the Jungle— For all the Beasts are tired Because a Man is fired. And may the parrot teach us This lesson of the hour— That going out of Office Is going into Power.

Little Eric went a-fishing With his rod and line and hook, And his wishing cap for wishing Half the minnows in the brook. This is what he caught by wishing: Trout and flying-fish and whale. This is what he caught by fishing: One small tadpole by the tail!

Bulldog is a fearsome thing— Eric leads him with a string.

Brother Knight pounds away with his hammer so gay, While Daddy does stunts with his pen; And mother sits clear at the steering gear And bosses all three of us men.

Brother Knight is fond of curls; Half his ancestors were girls! So your daddy says; but, then, Half of mine were gentlemen. Thus we understand each other As a sister does a brother. 'Tis a combination fine— Will you be my Valentine?

Brother Knight, he is all right, With Harold, Edith and the rest; But of all my Daddy's family I like myself the best.

Content am I but just to sign the checks; Nor wot what mystery is brewing next!

Eric's grown up with the men; He won't need these things again. Sweep them out! He'll find his Joy With some other sort of Toy!

Little Incas have long ears, May they sleep a thousand years!