A Bedtime Story - As I Remember It.

This is a bedtime story that was told to me by my mother. I memorized it when I was about 6 or 7 and would say it with her. I still think it's important to remember some poetry. It's good exercise for the brain muscle.
Well here goes.

Little Orphan Annie

Little Orphan Annie come to our house to stay,
to wash the cups and saucers up
and brush the crumbs away.
To shoo the chickens off the porch,
and brush the hearth and sweep.
To make the fires and bake the bread
and earn her board-n-keep.
All us other children, when the
supper things were done.
We'd set around the kitchen-fire
and have the mostest fun.
A'listenin' to them witches' tales
that Annie tells about.
'Bout them goblins who'll getcha
If you... Don't ....Watch ....Out.
(enter dramatic tone and a little tickle poke)
Well,
Once't there was this little boy,
who never said his prayers.
and when he went to bed one night,
'waaay upstairs.
Why! His momma heard him holler.
and his Poppa heard him bawl.
But when they went upstairs to check...
(ooh!) He wasn't there AT ALL.
They seeked him up the chimney flu,
in the cubby-holes and press.
They seeked him in the rafter room,
and everywheres I guess.
But all they ever found was this:
His pants and roundabout.
(pinch the pajama leg and tummy)
See, them goblins Will getcha,
If you don't ... watch ... out!
(tickle)
And Once't there was this little girl,
who'd always laugh and grin.
She made fun of everyone,
even her blood-and-kin.
And once, when there was company,
and the old folks was there.
She mocked them, and she
shocked them.
And she said she didn't care.
At this she kicked her heels and
she turned to run and hide but...
(OOOH!)
Two Great-Big Black things
were standin' by her side.
And they snatched her through the ceiling
'for she knowed what it was about.
See, them goblins WILL getcha,
If you Don't ... Watch ... Out!
(need I say - tickle?)
Little Orphan Annie says:
When the blaze is blue,
and the lamp-wick sputters,
and the wind goes "Whoooooooooo".
When you hear the crickets quit,
and the moon turns gray.
and the lightnin' bugs and dew
are all squinched away.
Why, you'd better mind yer parents,
and your teachers - fond and dear.
Cherish them that loves you,
and dry the orphan's tear.
And Help the poor and needy ones,
who clusters all about.
Else them goblins'll getcha,
If you Don't ... Watch ... Out!
(Tickle Fest! Tickle Fest!)
Forehead kiss, sweet dreams, Lights out.

MsAmber
www.wildernessgirl.com