Jim

Who ran away from his Nurse and was eaten by a Lion     There was a Boy whose name was Jim;     His Friends were very good to him.     They gave him Tea, and Cakes, and Jam,     And slices of delicious Ham,     And Chocolate with pink inside     And little Tricycles to ride,     And read him Stories through and through,     And even took him to the Zoo     But there it was the dreadful Fate     Befell him, which I now relate.     You know, or at least you ought to know,     For I have often told you so     That Children never are allowed     To leave their Nurses in a Crowd;     Now this was Jim's especial Foible,     He ran away when he was able,     And on this inauspicious day     He slipped his hand and ran away!     He hadn't gone a yard when--Bang!     With open Jaws, a lion sprang,     And hungrily began to eat     The Boy: beginning at his feet.     Now, just imagine how it feels     When first your toes and then your heels,     And then by gradual degrees,     Your shins and ankles, calves and knees,     Are slowly eaten, bit by bit.     No wonder Jim detested it!     No wonder that he shouted `Hi!'     The Honest Keeper heard his cry,     Though very fat he almost ran     To help the little gentleman.     `Ponto!' he ordered as he came     (For Ponto was the Lion's name),     `Ponto!' he cried, with angry Frown,     `Let go, Sir! Down, Sir! Put it down!'     The Lion made a sudden stop,     He let the Dainty Morsel drop,     And slunk reluctant to his Cage,     Snarling with Disappointed Rage.     But when he bent him over Jim,     The Honest Keeper's Eyes were dim.     The Lion having reached his Head,     The Miserable Boy was dead!     When Nurse informed his Parents, they     Were more Concerned than I can say:     His Mother, as She dried her eyes,     Said, `Well, it gives me no surprise,     He would not do as he was told!'     His Father, who was self-controlled,     Bade all the children round attend     To James's miserable end,     And always keep a-hold of Nurse     For fear of finding something worse.