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.
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Comments
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memories of school.
From guest helena (contact)
This is a lovely piece . I 1st knew it as a child and we acted it out in a school competition . I played Ponto .Have used it as a teacher myself and the class always loved it ........I still adore it even now ..... -
Ponto!!!
From guest Omondi A. Andrew (contact)
For about 13years this poem has been buzzing in my mind. We did recite it in several of the school competitions and we won trophies. For all this years I thought my Literature was the one who had written the poem himself, but today I am surprised and pleased to find it on my way in the net... I am touched, the lesson is a taught at a greater cost, but that is it. I learnt a lot from the poem!!! -
Sad
This is a sad story and a very nice poem. Mr.Jim will also like the story.
I think children don’t like such stories, which have tragic endings. Well, at least I don’t like the ending of this story but this is a story with a Moral, which makes it a good one.
The poem has a beautiful melody.
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This little chap didn't fare as well as The Ramsbottom's lad (Marriott Edgar - Albert and The Lion)
Even so it's a great little rhyming piece by Belloc - well known for his childrens poetry.
Von
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