A SLEEPY TIME

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 27, 23 April 1927, Page 24 (Supplement)

A SLEEPY TIME

“O dear!” the little tin soldier cried, “I’ve marched this whole day long, Though my gun is heavy and hard to hold And my legs are far from strong. “And now I should like to take some rest; It certainly can’t be right To expect a veteran like myself To stand on guard all night.” The little toy horse, in great distress, Called: “Who will attend to me? I want to be put in my nice neat stall And be given some oats for tea. “I’ve been to the market town and back To-day at my fastest trot; And now I am lying upside down With my harness tied in a knot.” Cried Jack-in-a-box: “I’ve jumped and bounced Till I’m quite worn out to-night; Will somebody please shut up my house And fasten the roof down tight?” “I’m hoarse as a crow,” said the barking dog; “I’m tired,” sighed the woolly sheep; “We are all of us that,” cried jumping Jack, "And we need some rest and sleep. “We should like to go to our beds at once And shut up our eyes quite tight. Will our dear little master please to come And settle us all for the night?” But mother it was who put them up In a row on the nursery shelf;. For never a word the master heard— He was fast asleep himself.