way.

Nathan's hands aren't hands at all.
They're bigger than a basketball.
They're covered brown by furry hair,
Just like paws on any bear.

Nathan hated both his paws.
He never used their mighty claws.
It's also hard to make a friend
When there's a tail on your rear end.

It's black and white and wags around.
When it swats, you hear a sound.
His mom said, "Never be ashamed",
But classmates said, "He should be tamed!"

He taped his tail down everyday,
But still they wouldn't let him play.
"He can't join; he'll pop the ball!"
So recess wasn't fun at all.

He wished his tail were off his rear.
He wished his paws would disappear.

But then one day...

In class he learned about a creature.
"It's very special," said his teacher.
"Tail of a beaver, bill of a duck,
Feet of an otter, just his luck!"

"He needs them all to stay alive,
They're each a gift to help him survive."
"What is it?" called out Nathan loudly.
"A PLATYPUS!" said teacher proudly.

Nathan couldn't help but smile.
All this time, all the while,
He had never seen the truth--
His paws and tail must have a use!

From that day on, he changed his ways.
No one's scared of him these days.
His tail is wagging when he sits,
His paws are helpful baseball mitts.

Kids love to see him open drinks.
They like the splashing, Nathan thinks.
His tail, in summer, keeps him cool.
His friends crowd round when he's at school.

His newest classmate wants to meet him.
Nathan wonders how she'll treat him.
Teacher makes the class grow quiet,
"No one speak, don't even try it."

"There's someone here you all should meet.
This is Martha Hippofeet."

Nathan likes her.

II

BILLY SITS HERE!

"Billy sits here and Walter up front,
And, Walter, I'm watching, so don't try a stunt."
First day of class, Miss McClaire sets the seats.
And she doesn't know it, but Bob always cheats.

He hides in the back till he hears the bell ring.
She's too busy leaving to notice a thing.
"I'll finish this later when we're all back from eating.
We're not done yet, and remember your seating."

He sneaks and he creeps to her new seating chart.
She wrote it in pencil, a very good start!
He grabs the eraser and scratches his head,
"She's nuts if she thinks that I'll sit next to Fred!"

He switches with Kathy, next to the door.
Class can be fun, but he likes leaving more.
"My best friend Sebastian will sit next to me.
If we mess around, there's no way she can see.