INTRODUCTION
Reading edition
The parents of the learned child (His father and his mother) Were utterly aghast to note The facts he would at random quote On creatures curious, rare and wild; And wondering, asked each other:
"An idle little child like this, How is it that he knows What years of close analysis Are powerless to disclose? Our brains are trained, our books are big, And yet we always fail
To answer why the Guinea-pig Is born without a tail.
Or why the Wanderoo[A] should rant In wild, unmeaning rhymes,
Whereas the Indian Elephant Will only read The Times.
Perhaps he found a way to slip Unnoticed to the Zoo, And gave the Pachyderm a tip, Or pumped the Wanderoo. Or even by an artful plan Deceived our watchful eyes, And interviewed the Pelican, Who is extremely wise."
"Oh! no," said he, in humble tone, With shy but conscious look, "Such facts I never could have known But for this little book."