THE PORCUPINE’S DILEMMA

A porcupine once played at golf And wore a sweater red. “I notice all the swells dress so. “And so will I”, he said.

But when he found his stylish clothes Were far too warm for golf, His sharp quills held that sweater fast He couldn’t get it off.

A monkey, sitting on a tree Above a shady pool, Looked down and saw a crocodile Within the water cool. The crocodile looked up and said, “Come down my friend and swim.” Intending, when the monkey came, To make a meal of him.

The monkey knew this was his plan But leaped as if to dive. The crocodile spread wide his jaws To catch his meal alive; But he was disappointed much To see his sharp game fail For, as he leaped, the monkey caught And hung there by his tail.

One beast there is which should be shunned By little girls and boys; That is the cross Whine-os-ce-ros, Which makes an awful noise.

For if they see this animal And do not run away, They imitate its shrill, harsh voice And whine the livelong day.