Bobby Considers His Pollywog (In the Gold-fish Bowl)

They tell me that my pollywog Will turn himself into a frog And hop out on the land! I've thought about it quite a lot But how he'll do it;—that is what I cannot understand.

For now he only seems to wish To be a jolly little fish And float around and swim; Still if he can make legs to grow Why anyone would say, you know It's pretty smart of him.

Imagine how surprised he'll be When he discovers suddenly He has no tail at all! And then again, down in his throat He'll find a lovely rumbling note To sing from Spring to Fall.

Well,—caterpillars put on wings, And other things do other things, But all know where to stop; So go on, pollywog, and change; And though it may seem rather strange Get legs—and learn to hop!