The Prodigal Centipede

Once to a Centipede a Snail Remarked, “I wonder why you trail Along the ground with such a lot of feet--a hundred, is it not? A hundred feet! when two or three Are all you need. Just look at me!

“The speed and ease with which I crawl, And yet I have no feet at all! In these days would it not be wise For you to--well, to _Hoof_erize? You surely don’t need more than two To get along! If I were you, I’d use one pair and stand up straight, And save the other ninety-eight Against a rainy day.”

“Indeed You’re right!” replied the Centipede. “I’ve often thought, to do my part, ’Twould be advisable to start A Feetless Day--but then, you see, If I stood upright I should be A hundred feet in height, and I Might bump my head against the sky!” “Well,” said the Snail, “I must admit That puts a different face on it! Your life depends on lying flat! Dear! Dear! I hadn’t thought of that!”