A HAPPY ENDING


There was an old woman
who lived all alone.
Never answered the door,
Never answered the phone.

The children from town
would stand by her gate,
with their eyes full of fear
and their mouths full of hate.

Behind a screen door,
they could just see a cat
And they’d picture long fangs
Squeezing life from a rat.

“I bet he’s named Terror,
Or Demon or Crap!”
And they’d yell out these names
And he’d sometimes mew back.

But none of the children
dared open the gate.
Their mothers had warned them
It’s children she ate!

And if ever they heard
Any noise from the house,
They’d squeal and they’d run
Like a scared little mouse!

But one boy was nosey
And wanted to see
what this ugly old witch
really ate with her tea.

Was it cookies she made
From real lady’s fingers?
Or scones that were baked
From the bad boys that lingered?

So one day when the others
All scattered and left,
He opened the gate
And took one little step.

Up the path to the door
His heart beating so loud
“She must hear me coming!”
He wondered aloud.

“Yes I do!”, came a voice
From inside the hall,
“Come in little boy!
I’m expecting your call!”

He opened the door
With a faint little creak
“Come into my parlour
And please take a seat!”

What a brave little boy,
Don’t you think? But he did!
And that was the end
Of that curious lad.

The boy was named Nathan
Or that’s what they said
But we’ll never know, will we?
Cause Nathan is dead.

But our ending is happy
Cause of what you now know
About what is your business
And where not to go.

If you always act nosey
And go where you shouldn’t,
You’ll end up like Nathan
In Old Lady’s pudding.

3:27:34 PM    sro home /