What A Very Rude Little Bird Said To Johnny This Morning - Poem by Laura E. Richards

Thing with two legs, out on the lawn!
Stupid old thing!
Why don't you fly, or hop at least?
Why don't you sing?
There you stand with your great long legs
Stiff as a couple of giant pegs;
Have you a nest with five blue eggs?
Have you _anything_?

Thing with two legs, out on the lawn!
Stubborn old thing!
Is that your only song, that harsh,
Loud muttering?
Here! listen, and try to imitate me!
Chirr-a-wink! chirr-a-wink! pirrip-wip-wee!
It's just as easy as easy can be,
Stubborn old thing!

Thing with two legs, out on the lawn!
Ugly old thing!
I hear my little brown wife in the nest
Soft chirruping.
And if you think I've nothing else to do
But stay here and talk to the like of you,
You're greatly mistaken, I tell you true!
Good-by, old thing!