Carolyn Wells

The Funny Kittens

Once there were some silly kittens,
And they knitted woolly mittens
  To bestow upon the freezing Hottentots.
But the Hottentots refused them,
Saying that they never used them
  Unless crocheted of red with yellow spots.

So the silly little kittens
Took their blue and white striped mittens
  To a Bear who lived within a hollow tree;
The Bear responded sadly,
"I would wear your mittens gladly,
  But I fear they are too gay for such as me."

Then the kittens, almost weeping,
Came to where a Cow lay sleeping,
  And they woke her with this piteous request,
"Won't you wear our mittens furry?"
Said the Cow, "My dears, don't worry;
  I will put them on as soon as I am dressed."

Then the Cow put on her bonnet
With a wreath of roses on it,
  And a beautiful mantilla fringed with white;
And she donned the pretty mittens,
While the silly little kittens
  Clapped their paws in admiration at the sight.