The Elf and the Dormouse

Under a toadstool Crept a wee Elf, Out of the rain, To shelter himself. Under the toadstool, Sound asleep, Sat a big Dormouse All in a heap. Trembled the wee Elf, Frightened, and yet Fearing to fly away Lest he get wet. To the next shelter— Maybe a mile! Sudden the wee Elf Smiled a wee smile, Tugged till the toadstool Toppled in two. Holding it over him, Gayly he flew. Soon he was safe home, Dry as could be. Soon woke the Dormouse— “Good gracious me! “Where is my toadstool?” Loud he lamented. —And that ’s how umbrellas First were invented.

Collection: 
English
Oliver Herford
Sub Title: 
Poems of Home: II. For Children

More from Poet

  • A Belated Violet

    Very dark the autumn sky, Dark the clouds that hurried by; Very rough the autumn breeze Shouting rudely to the trees. Listening, frightened, pale, and cold, Through the withered leaves and mold Peered a violet all in dread— “Where, oh, where is spring?” she said. Sighed the trees, “Poor...

  • The First Rose of Summer

    “oh dear! is Summer over?” I heard a rosebud moan, When first her eyes she opened, And found she was alone. “Oh, why did Summer leave me, Little me, belated? Where are the other roses? I think they might have waited.” Soon the little rosebud Saw to her surprise Other rosebuds opening...

  • The Elf and the Dormouse

    Under a toadstool Crept a wee Elf, Out of the rain, To shelter himself. Under the toadstool, Sound asleep, Sat a big Dormouse All in a heap. Trembled the wee Elf, Frightened, and yet Fearing to fly away Lest he get wet. To the next shelter— Maybe a mile! Sudden the wee Elf Smiled...

  • The Mon-Goos

    This, children, is the famed Mon-goos. He has an ap-pe-tite ab-struse: Strange to re-late, this crea-ture takes A cu-ri-ous joy in eat-ing snakes— All kinds—though, it must be con-fessed, He likes the poi-son-ous ones the best. From him we learn how ve-ry small A thing can bring a-bout a Fall. O...

  • The Elf and the Dormouse

    Under a toadstool Crept a wee Elf, Out of the rain, To shelter himself. Under the toadstool, Sound asleep, Sat a big Dormouse All in a heap. Trembled the wee Elf, Frightened, and yet Fearing to fly away Lest he get wet. To the next shelter— Maybe a mile! Sudden the wee Elf Smiled...