s blue spectacles on, and he sighed,
"I know they'll not win, though they'll all do their best,
For nobody ever has taught them to ride."

The frogs came up first, with their legs straddled wide
On the bicycle handles, their arms folded tight;
Their umpire, the third little pug, gave a shout,
And pushed his hat back in his joy at the sight.

[Illustration: The pussies were last]

Then up came the greyhounds, and pug Number Two,
Though dissatisfied, felt that he could not ask more.
"But where are the rabbits?" said One with a groan.
"And what has become of my pussies?" whined Four.

Well, the pussies were last, for they would not begin
With the others, but stayed to catch mice and to play;
And the rabbits rode off with the food to the woods,
So nobody got any dinner that day.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

End of Project Gutenberg's Merry Words for Merry Children, by A. Hoatson

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