The Robin And The Angleworm

A plump and saucy Robin Was gayly hopping round, And heard a ringèd Angleworm A-squirming underground. “Oh, do my ears deceive me, Or can it really be, A tender, juicy luncheon Is waiting there for me?” Thus spake the hungry Robin, And cocked a listening ear, An ear to hear the grass grow, The falling dust to hear. He tapped among the grasses With yellow beak so gay, “Good-morrow, neighbor Angleworm! How’s all with you to-day?” “I’m well, kind neighbor Robin; The earth is sweetly damp; You’re stepping just above me, I feel your noisy tramp.” “Climb up, then, slippery brother! The rain is falling fast; Come up and take a bite with me Until the storm be past.” The earthworm hurried upward; Said Robin, with a grin, “Well, now, you’ve troubled to come out, I’ll thank you to come IN!”