St. Nicholas/Volume 40/Number 5/Nursery Pet

by Carolyn Wells

If I were you, dear little child,
I ‘d beg Papa to get
A young giraffe, with temper mild,
To be a nursery pet.

I’m sure 't would make you laugh, my dear,
When he ’d cut such a caper
As nibbling at the chandelier,
Or nosing ceiling paper.

And you could train him, if you tried,
To carry and to fetch;
And you could ope the window wide,
If he desired to stretch.

Then you could purchase for his neck
Six collars of large size;
And, further still your pet to deck,
Six bright, gay-colored ties.

Ah, yes, he ’d be a daily joy;
I trust I ’ve clearly shown
How nice “t would be for girl or boy
A pet giraffe to own!