(19) SHE SO UPSET THE PRECIOUS PET, HE HAD A PUPPET FIT!

PETER THE PUPPET

Peter was a puppet.  When you pulled the proper string,

He'd leap and prance or jog or dance or do the Highland fling,

Or turn a lively somersault, or tap a nimble shoe;

In fact there wasn't anything that Peter couldn't do!

Now, Meranda, who received the little puppet as a gift,

Was in a mood extremely rude.  She looked at him and sniffed.

Then pulling all his strings at once (this wasn't kind a bit!),

She so upset the precious pet, he had a puppet fit!

Putting on an act that almost tore him limb from limb,

The puppet danced and tumbled with excruciating vim!

He jigged a jig that loosed his wig!  He danced a lovely waltz,

And finished with a somersault to end all somersaults!

His dance was done, his jig was up, his Highland fling was flung!

Poor Peter lay upon the floor -- and oh, he felt unstrung!

Melinda was remorseful, and her pretty eyes grew wet

As Peter sprawled, forlorn and bald, his strings a tangled net.

Melinda had him mended (he was not completely wrecked!),

And after that, she treated him with kindness and respect.

For puppets are like people.  Both will "dance" for you, in fact,

If only you'll observe the rule of gentleness and tact.

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[Exercise from Poetry with a Purpose]