The Comical Crow has a tale of woe,
And this is a story you ought to know.
He’s a wonderful Bird — he can fly and walk,
And sometimes he can even talk.
He says, “The Funny Fox one day,
Out in the meadow came and lay.
He pretended he was fast asleep,
So nearer and nearer the wheat I’d creep.
He came suddenly so wide awake,
Too late we learned our sad mistake.
My friends he caught upon that day,
But I spread my wings and flew away.
The Fox is cunning and very shy,
To be his friend I’ll never try.
I will travel as far as I choose
To tell on the Fox, I’ll spread the news.”
Which shows that “Little leaks sink great ships.”
Credits
Laura Rountree Smith was an American children's poet and educator active in the early twentieth century, known for short, moralistic verses written for young readers. "Comical Crow" reflects her characteristic blend of playful rhythm and a pointed life lesson, here drawing on the classic fable tradition of animals teaching human truths.
