Classic Poem

In Unrecorded Ages when the Minnows talked like Whales,
The Very-Clever-Animals were destitute of Tails:
The Monkey and the 'Possum couldn't hang 'emselves to dry,
The Puppy couldn't waggle, nor the Heifer flap a fly;
So when the Wild Geese trumpeted that Tails could soon be had,
The Very-Clever-Animals were very, very glad.

Upon the Day Appointed, when the Quadrupedal Rout
Were flocking to the Trysting-Place-Where-Tails-Were-Given-Out,
The Growly Bear was settling to his wonted winter nap;
He called his friend, the Rabbit, an obliging little chap,
And pledged him by the Whiskers of the Great Ancestral Hare
To fetch a fitting Tail-piece for a Self-respecting Bear.

But where the Tails were given, there was such a dreadful crush—
A mingled game of football and a bargain-counter rush—
That Bunny, hopping wildly for his own Desired End,
Forgot his Solemn Promise to his sleepy-headed friend!

The Rabbit was returning to his Merry Native Vale,
Rejoicing in the flourish of a lovely, furry Tail,
When, rapidly descending from his Rocky Mountain Lair,
He saw the massive figure of his friend, the Growly Bear,
Who roared, “My Tail, O Rabbit! Let me have it on the spot!”
“Why—” stammered out the Rabbit, “please excuse me,—I forgot!”

Oh, Bruin swung his forepaw like a mighty iron flail;
He smote our luckless Bunny on the Precious Furry Tail
And shore it off completely, save a little bit of fluff!—
Still, Honey, for a Bunny that is cotton-tail enough.