Liza Lehmann - Jim

There was a boy whose name was Jim:
His friends were very good to him
They gave him tea, and cakes, and jam
And slices of delicious ham
They read him stories through and though
And even took him to the Zoo-
But there it was the dreadful Fate
Befell him, which I now relate

You know-at least you ought to know
For I have often told you so-
That children never are allowed
To leave their nurses in a crowd;
Now this was Jim's especial foible
He ran away when he was able
And on this inauspicious day
He slipped his hand and ran away!
He hadn't gone a yard when - bang!
With open jaws, a lion sprang
And hungrily began to eat
The Boy: beginning at his feet
Now just imagine how it feels
When first your toes and then your heels
And then by gradual degrees
Your shins and ankles, calves and knees
Are slowly eaten, bit by bit
No wonder Jim detested it!
No wonder that he shouted 'Hi!'
The honest keeper heard his cry
Though very fat he almost ran
To help the little gentleman

'Ponto!' he cried, with angry frown
'Let go, sir! Down, sir! Put it down!'

But when he bent him over Jim
The honest keeper's eyes were dim
The lion having reached his head
The miserable boy was dead

When Nurse informed his parents they
Were more concerned than I can say:-
His mother, as she dried her eyes
Said, 'Well-it gives me no surprise
He would not do as he was told!'
His father, who was self-controlled
Bade all the children round attend
To James' miserable end
And always keep a-hold of Nurse
For fear of finding something worse