A VILLAGE pedagogue announced one day Unto his pupils, that Inspector A. Was coming to examine them. Quoth he: "If he should try you in Geography, Most likely he will ask—'What's the Earth's shape?' Then, if you feel as stupid as an ape, Just look at me: my snuff-box I will show, Which will remind you it is round, you know." Now, the sagacious master, I declare, Had two snuff-boxes—one round, t'other square; The square he carried through the week, the round On Sundays only. Hark! a footstep's sound: 'Tis the Inspector. "What's the Earth's shape, lad?" Addressing one by name. The latter, glad To have his memory helped, looked at the master; When, piteous to relate, O, sad disaster! The pupil without hesitation says: "Round, sir, on Sundays, square on other days." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PORTRAIT OF A BOY by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET FAITH by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DOMESDAY BOOK: MRS. GREGORY WENNER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE TOMB AT AKR CAAR by EZRA POUND MY FAMILIAR DREAM by PAUL VERLAINE TO MARK ANTHONY IN HEAVEN by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS |