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Barbara the Boa | ||
| Christopher wanted a different pet. We was uncertain just what he should get. Andrew suggested some kind of a snake! One that looked real, and not at all fake. Christopher went for a boa constrictor. She was quite happy that Christo had picked her. "My name is Barbara, I'll be your pet. I'll be a pet that you'll never forget. Christopher took her straight home in a cage. Mother suppressed all her panic and rage. Barbara tried to stay out of the way. She gobbled 29 mice every day. "Don't be alarmed folks, I'm not such a hog; Keep me in mice and I won't eat your dog." All of the cats on the block did their share, Searching for succulent mice everywhere. They were successful in keeping Barb fed. She had her supper and lay down in bed. Long after midnight a burglar appeared, Wearing a ski mask and looking quite weird. Barbara woke and uncoiled her 10 feet, Scaring the burglar right back to the street. He spread the word that the house had a snake; Trying to enter would be a mistake. Andrew said, "You are our burglar alarm, Keeping our property safe from all harm." Christopher gave her an extra two mice, Since she had shown that she really was nice. Next day at soccer Chris took out his pet, Causing the players to scream and to fret. Christopher then scored his goals with great ease, Since the opponents had fled to the trees. After the game they went home for a rest. Everyone said Chris's playing was best. Just then a neighbor appeared on the scene. She was alarmed and her face was all green. "Your dog has chased my poor cat up a tree. He is so frightened he hardly can see." Christopher said, "That is really too bad; Here's a suggestion that should make you glad. My friendly boa constrictor can climb Right up that tree and it won't take much time." Barbara slithered up high in the tree, Rescued the cat so that he could go free. Everyone clapped for the deed of the snake. Barbara beamed, it was all she could take. One day when children were batting a ball, One of them hit it right over a wall. Barbara saw it and said, "Never fear. I can go get it and bring it right here." Over the wall she then slid with great ease, Brought back the ball 'cause her aim was to please. All of the team gave a pat on her back, Even a reticent boy known as Jack. Next day she asked if she could go to school. (Boa constrictors do not, as a rule.) Christopher said, "You can come if you're good. Don't scare the students or break any wood." Into the classroom he took her big cage, Warning all students to please act their age. Christopher told them his snake was most kind. She was a pet he'd been happy to find. When he released her she coiled round his chair, Causing the pupils to gape and to stare. Teacher told Barbara, "Come to the board! Show us a bit of the learning you've stored." Quickly she slithered in front of the class, Thoroughly confident that she would pass. Using the chalk in her mouth she could write, Spelling her name to the class's delight. When it was time for the lesson to break Kids played a game of jump over the snake. After two weeks all the cats had bad news. "We are all miceless," they said with sad mews. Barbara said, "If there's nothing to eat, I'm very sorry, I must leave your street." Christopher said, "I know just where to go. Get in our car and we won't drive too slow." Up to the mountains they sped in the car. Grandma's wood cabin was not very far. There Barb could eat all the mice she could take. It was a very fine home for a snake. Christopher said, "You be good and don't cry. We have to go, so we'll bid you good-bye." | ||
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