Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE ELF AND THE DORMOUSE by OLIVER BROOK HERFORD

First Line: UNDER A TOADSTOOL / CREPT A WEE ELF
Last Line: FIRST WERE INVENTED.
Subject(s): CHILDREN; FAIRIES; UMBRELLAS; CHILDHOOD; ELVES;

UNDER a toadstool
Crept a wee Elf,
Out of the rain,
To shelter himself.
Under the toadstool,
Sound asleep,
Sat a big Dormouse
All in a heap.
Trembled the wee Elf,
Frightened, and yet
Fearing to fly away
Lest he get wet.
To the next shelter --
Maybe a mile!
Sudden the wee Elf
Smiled a wee smile,
Tugged till the toadstool
Toppled in two.
Holding it over him,
Gayly he flew.
Soon he was safe home,
Dry a could be.
Soon woke the Dormouse --
"Good gracious me!
"Where is my toadstool?"
Loud he lamented.
-- And that's how umbrellas
First were invented.



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