The Story of the Forty Little Ducklings.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2, 13 July 1907, Page 43

The Story of the Forty Little Ducklings.

The forty little ducklings Who lived up at the farm, They said unto each other, “Oh! the day is very warm!” ffl They said unto each other, “Oh! the river’s very cool! The duck who did not seek it now Would surely be a fool!”

The forty little ducklings, They started down the road, And waddle,, waddle, waddle

Was the gait at which they goed: (’That line was not good grammar. You may change it if you choose, But one canriot stop for trifles When inspired by the Muse.)

They waddled ami they waddled, And they waddled on and on. Till one remarked, “Oh! deary me! Where is the river gone? We asked the Ancient <lander, Ami he said ’twas very near He must have been deceiving us, Or else himself, I fear.*’

They waddled and they waddled, Till no further they could go; Then down upon a mossy bank They sat them in a row. They took their pocket-handkerchiefs, Ami wept a little weep. And then they tucked away their heads, And then they went to sleep.

There came along a farmer. With a basket on his arm. And all those little ducklings He took back to the farm; Hr put them in their little beds, Ami wished them sweet repose, And fastened mustard plasters On their little webby toes.

Next day these little ducklings. They were very, very ill; Their mother sent for Doctor Quack, Who gave them each a pill. But soon as they recovered, Thr first thing that they did Was to peck thr Ancient Gander, Till he ran away and hid.