Read "Tell-Tale" by Oliver Herford online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The Lily whispered to the Rose: / "The Tulip's fearfully stuck up.
You'd think, to see the creature's pose, / She were a golden altar-cup.
There's method in her boldness, too; / She catches twice her share of Dew."
The Rose into the Tulip's ear / Murmured: "The Lily is a sight; / Don't you believe she _powders_, dear, / To make herself so saintly white?
She takes some trouble, it is plain, / Her reputation to sustain."
Said Tulip to the Lily white: / "About the Rose -- what do you think? -- / Her colour? Should you say it's quite -- / Well, quite a natural shade of pink? " / "Natural! " the Lily cried. "Good Saints!
Why, _everybody_ knows she paints! "