Runaway Donkey and Other Rhymes for Children

<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</SPAN></span></p> <h2>THE BALLAD OF THE BUMPTIOUS BOY</h2> <div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/067a.jpg" alt="Boy" style="width: 50%" /></div> <div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/067b.jpg" alt="Be careful!" style="width: 50%" /></div> <div class="poem1"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"Those crackers are lighted! Be careful!<br/></span> <span class="i2">They're going off&mdash;<i>don't</i> stand so near!"<br/></span> <span class="i0">But the Bumptious Boy heeded no warning,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And this is what happened. O dear!<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/067c.jpg" alt="But the Bumptious Boy heeded no warning" style="width: 50%" /></div> <div class="poem1"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"The ice is thin," said the Policeman.<br/></span> <span class="i2">"I advise you, my lad, not to go."<br/></span> <span class="i0">But the Bumptious Boy thought <i>he</i> knew better,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And skated off proudly. And so&mdash;<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/067d.jpg" alt="And skated off proudly." style="width: 50%" /></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="poem1"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"Our donkey will not let you ride him&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i2">He's sure to give you a spill!"<br/></span> <span class="i0">But the Bumptious Boy only pooh-poohed them,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And would not believe them until&mdash;<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/068a.jpg" alt="Our donkey will not let you ride him" style="width: 50%" /></div> <div class="poem1"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"Look out there! That branch will not hold you!<br/></span> <span class="i2">Don't try any higher to climb!"<br/></span> <span class="i0">But the Bumptious Boy laughed and climbed higher:<br/></span> <span class="i2">That laugh was his last for some time.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/068b.jpg" alt="That branch will not hold you!" style="width: 50%" /></div> <p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</SPAN></span></p> <div class="poem1"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Then during a long convalescence<br/></span> <span class="i2">The Bumptious Boy thoughtfully thought<br/></span> <span class="i0">Of the painful misfortunes and troubles<br/></span> <span class="i2">That he on himself oft had brought.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/069.jpg" alt="The Bumptious Boy thoughtfully thought of the painful misfortunes and troubles" style="width: 50%" /></div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />