JIM
WHO RAN AWAY FROM HIS NURSE, AND WAS EATEN BY A LION
by: Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953)
- here was a Boy whose name was Jim;
- His Friends were very good to him.
- They gave him Tea, and Cakes, and Jam,
- And slices of delicious Ham,
- And Chocolate with pink inside,
- And little Tricycles to ride,
- And read him Stories through and through,
- And even took him to the Zoo
- But there it was the dreadful Fate
- Befell him, which I now relate.
- You knowat least you ought to know.
- For I have often told you so
- That Children never are allowed
- To leave their Nurses in a Crowd;
- Now this was Jim’s especial Foible,
- He ran away when he was able,
- And on this inauspicious day
- He slipped his hand and ran away!
- He hadn’t gone a yard whenBang!
- With open Jaws, a Lion sprang,
- And hungrily began to eat
- The Boy: beginning at his feet.
- Now just imagine how it feels
- When first your toes and then your heels,
- And then by gradual degrees,
- Your shins and ankles, calves and knees,
- Are slowly eaten, bit by bit.
- No wonder Jim detested it!
- No wonder that he shouted “Hi!”
- The Honest Keeper heard his cry,
- Though very fat he almost ran
- To help the little gentleman.
- “Ponto!” he ordered as he came
- (For Ponto was the Lion’s name),
- “Ponto!” he cried, with angry Frown.
- “Let go, Sir! Down, Sir! Put it down!”
- The Lion made a sudden Stop,
- He let the Dainty Morsel drop,
- And slunk reluctant to his Cage,
- Snarling with Disappointed Rage
- But when he bent him over Jim,
- The Honest Keeper’s Eyes were dim.
- The Lion having reached his Head,
- The Miserable Boy was dead!
- When Nurse informed his Parents, they
- Were more Concerned than I can say:
- His Mother, as She dried her eyes,
- Said, “Wellit gives me no surprise,
- He would not do as he was told!”
- His Father, who was self-controlled,
- Bade all the children round attend
- To James’ miserable end,
- And always keep a-hold of Nurse
- For fear of finding something worse.
"Jim" is reprinted from Cautionary Tales for Children. Hilaire Belloc. 1907. |
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