A Puppy's Problem

When Midget was a puppy, And to the farm was brought, She found that there were many things A puppy must be taught.

Her mother oft had told her The first thing to be known Was how to gnaw and bite, and thus Enjoy a toothsome bone.

So Midget practiced biting On everything around, But that was not approved at all, To her surprise, she found.

The farmer spoke severely, Till Midget shook with fright; The children shouted "No, no, no! Bad Midget! Mustn't bite!"

'Twas just the same with barking; At first they all said "Hark!" Whenever Midget tried her voice; "Good puppy! that's it! Bark!"

But then, as soon as Midget Could sound a sharp "Bow-wow!" Alas! the talk was changed to "Hush! Such noise we can't allow."

Now wasn't that a puzzle? It seemed a problem dark, That it was right and wrong to bite And right and wrong to bark.

A puppy's hardest lesson Is when to bark and bite; But Midget learned it, and became A comfort and delight.