The Selfish Oyster.

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 5 August 1882, Page 28

The Selfish Oyster.

Thero once was a selfish old oyster, Who lived like a monk in a cloister, Safely housed in his shell, Like the monk in his cell, Though the bivalve's apartment was moister. Anchored tight in the mud of tho bay This lazy old party did stay, Nor cared he to roam Very far from his home ; For exertion, he thought, did not pay. And you will be wondering, I think, What he did for hia victuals and drink.; Well, the oyster was sly, And when young crabs came by, He would catch them as quick aa a wink. Then in him the poor crabs had to stay, Till in time they had melted away, So the oyster got fatter, And the erab »— but no matter — For crabs have no souls, people say. ' And oho !' said the oyster, said ho :— • What a lucky old party I be ! Like a king in hia prido 1 wait here, and the tide Every day brings my living to me.' But thero came a grim star-fish, who spied, Our friend lying 1 flat on his side ; For the greedy old sinner Had just had his dinner, And now could not run had he tried. With a spring to the oyster he came, And he threw his five arms round the same, He shut off his breath, And he squeezed him to death, Then he ate him, nor felt any shame. The point of this story, my dears, Just ' as plain as a pikestaff' appears. But please give attention, While briefly I mention The moral again, for your ears. Don't be greedy and live but to eat, Caring only for bread and for meat ; Nor selfishly dwell All alone in your shell— Don't be oysters, in short I repeat.

But you'll find it much better for you To be kind, and unselfish, and true ; Then you'll not lack a friend Your cause to defend. When a star-fish rolls into your viow. —George J. Wbbstbr, in St. Nicholas.