A Little Friendly Call

How are you, Mrs. Kangaroo? I've just come in to call on you A little while; Your keeper says he thinks you grew Beside the Nile, Or some such place—O very far— Where duckbills and flamingoes are, And vampires too! Where no one drives a motor car Or wears a shoe.

I'm sure you'll like it better here When you get used to us my dear, For you will find That even if you think we're queer, We can be kind. And where you come from—anyway— Was all your life a holiday Without a care? Did you go places, or just stay Well—anywhere?

I do adore your silver coat! And you're a little like our goat, For you don't bite; Your tails are different, though, I note;— O different—quite! Your keeper says that some fine day You'll hop a bit, if I can stay Perhaps, for tea? Then I'd hop too,—and we would play Most happily!

But now I think I'll say, "Adieu," (As Mother's grown-up callers do) Ere I'm a bore, I really have to see the Gnu Who lives next door.