A Sad Tale.

"Who's afraid of a cat?" said he;         "I'm not afraid of a cat."             He was a bird who sat on a rail,         With five other birds, and this was his tale.             "I'm not afraid of a cat."     "I might be afraid if I were a mouse,         Or even if I were a rat:             But as I'm a bird             I give you my word         I'm not afraid of a cat."     A cat and her kits came down on the scene,         Five birds flew over the rail;             Our hero was caught             As quick as a thought,         And didn't he alter his tale!     "You've made a mistake, Mister Cat," said he;         "You must please let me go, Mister Cat.             I'm not at all nice,             I don't taste like mice:         You'd much better have a young rat."             Said the cat, "It's no use,             You may be a goose,         I'll not let you go for all that."