Another favorite Poem from Silver Pennies
The Elf and the Dormouse
By Oliver Herford
UNDER a toadstool crept a wee Elf,
Out of the rain to shelter himself.
Under the toadstool, sound asleep,
Sat a big Dormouse all in a heap.
Trembled the wee Elf, frightened, and yet
Fearing to fly away lest he get wet.
To the next shelter — maybe a mile!
Sudden the wee Elf smiled a wee smile,
Tugged till the toadstool toppled in two.
Holding it over him, gaily he flew.
Soon he was safe home, dry as could be.
Soon woke the Dormouse — " Good gracious me!
"Where is my toadstool?" loud he lamented.
And that's how umbrellas first were invented.
How I used to giggle every time I read/recited this poem! I loved it then, I love it now, particularly the line, “Tugged till the toadstool toppled in two.” That’s probably the line that introduced me to alliteration. If feels so cool tumbling off the tongue.
The Elf and the Dormouse
By Oliver Herford
UNDER a toadstool crept a wee Elf,
Out of the rain to shelter himself.
Under the toadstool, sound asleep,
Sat a big Dormouse all in a heap.
Trembled the wee Elf, frightened, and yet
Fearing to fly away lest he get wet.
To the next shelter — maybe a mile!
Sudden the wee Elf smiled a wee smile,
Tugged till the toadstool toppled in two.
Holding it over him, gaily he flew.
Soon he was safe home, dry as could be.
Soon woke the Dormouse — " Good gracious me!
"Where is my toadstool?" loud he lamented.
And that's how umbrellas first were invented.
How I used to giggle every time I read/recited this poem! I loved it then, I love it now, particularly the line, “Tugged till the toadstool toppled in two.” That’s probably the line that introduced me to alliteration. If feels so cool tumbling off the tongue.
Yes I like your favorite line -
ReplyDeleteAlso like the first line --- it holds a promise.
I believe I have an illustrated version of this poem, somewhere (?). It sounds very familiar.
ReplyDelete