June 11, 2020

HOW TO TELL WILD ANIMALS BY CAROLYN WELLS

HOW TO TELL WILD ANIMALS BY CAROLYN WELLS


This humorous poem suggests some dangerous ways to identify (or‘tell’) wild animals! Read it aloud, keeping to a strong and regular rhythm. 

If ever you should go by chance 

To jungles in the east; 

And if there should to you advance 

A large and tawny beast, 

If he roars at you as you’re dyin’ 

You’ll know it is the Asian Lion... 



Or if some time when roaming round, 

A noble wild beast greets you, 

With black stripes on a yellow ground, 

Just notice if he eats you. 

This simple rule may help you learn 

The Bengal Tiger to discern. 



If strolling forth, a beast you view, 

Whose hide with spots is peppered, 

As soon as he has lept on you, 

You’ll know it is the Leopard. 

’Twill do no good to roar with pain, 

He’ll only lep and lep again. 



If when you’re walking round your yard 

You meet a creature there, 

Who hugs you very, very hard, 

Be sure it is a Bear. 

If you have any doubts, I guess 

He’ll give you just one more caress. 



Though to distinguish beasts of prey 

A novice might nonplus, 

The Crocodile you always may 

Tell from the Hyena thus: 

Hyenas come with merry smiles; 

But if they weep they’re Crocodiles. 



The true Chameleon is small, 

A lizard sort of thing; 

He hasn’t any ears at all, 

And not a single wing. 

If there is nothing on the tree, 

’Tis the chameleon you see.