Read "The Cat (Ruthless Rhymes)" by Harry Graham online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
(_Advice to the Young_)
My children, you should imitate / The harmless, necessary cat, / Who eats whatever's on his plate, / And doesn't even leave the fat; / Who never stays in bed too late, / Or does immoral things like that; / Instead of saying, 'Shan't! ' or 'Bosh! ' / He'll sit and wash, and wash, and wash!
When shadows fall and lights grow dim, / He sits beneath the kitchen stair; / Regardless as to life and limb, / A shady lair he chooses there; / And if you tumble over him, / He simply loves to hear you swear. / And, while bad language _you_ prefer, / He'll sit and purr, and purr, and purr!