FIVE little pussy-cats, invited out to tea, Cried: "Mother, let us go—Oh, do! for good we'll surely be. We'll wear our bibs and hold our things as you have shown us how— Spoons in right paws, cups in left—and make a pretty bow; We'll always say 'Yes, if you please,' and 'Only half of that.'" "Then go, my darling children," said the happy Mother Cat. The five little pussy-cats went out that night to tea, Their heads were smooth and glossy, their tails were swinging free; They held their things as they had learned, and tried to be polite;— With snowy bibs beneath their chins they were a pretty sight. But, alas, for manners beautiful, and coats as soft as silk! The moment that the little kits were asked to take some milk, They dropped their spoons, forgot to bow, and—oh, what do you think? They put their noses in the cups and all began to drink! Yes, every naughty little kit set up a miou for more, Then knocked the tea-cups over, and scampered through the door. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FUN HOUSE FABLE by KAREN SWENSON THE LAST MAN by THOMAS CAMPBELL FORBIDDEN FRUIT: 2 by EMILY DICKINSON EPITAPH ON CHARLES II by JOHN WILMOT HOW DOES THE RAIN COME? by CHARLES ROLLIN BALLARD TWO QUESTIONS by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE |