Испалец в колесе (сборник на русском и английском)

Whilst all the tow was sleepyCrept a little boy from bedTo fained the wondrous peobleWot lived when they were dead.He packed a little voucherFor his dinner 'neath a tree.«Perhumps a tiny dwarf or twoWould share abite with me?Perchamp I'll see the WumberlogThe highly feathered crow,The larfing leaping HarristweedAnd good old Uncle Joe.»He packed he very trunkase,Clean sockers for a week,His book and denzil for his notes,Then out the windy creep.He met him friendly magic dog,All black and curlew too,Wot flew him fast in second classTo do wot he must do.«I'll leave you now sir,» said the dog,«But just before I goI must advise you,» said his friend«This boat to careflee row.»

«I thank you kindly friendly pal,I will,» and so he did,And floated down towards the landWhere all the secrets hid.What larfs aplenty did he larf,It seeming so absurd;Whilst losing all his oars,On his head he found a bird.«Hello,» the bird said, larfing too,«I hope you don't mind me,I've come to guide you here on in,In case you're lost at sea.»Well fancy that, the boy thought,I never knew till nowThat birds could speak so plainly.He wondered — wonder how?«What kind of bird are you sir?»He said with due respect,«I hope I'm not too noseyBut I didn't not expect.»«I am a wumberlog you see,»The bird replied — all coy,«The highly feathered species lad,You ought to jump for joy.»

«I would I would, if only, butYou see — well — yes, oh dear,The thing is dear old WumberlogI'm petrified with fear!»«Now don't be silly» said the bird,«I friendly — always — andI'm not like Thorpy Grumphlap,I'll show you when we land.»And soon the land came interview,A 'tastic sight for sure,An island with an eye to seeTo guide you into shore.«Hard to starboard» said a tree,«Yer focsle mainsle blastShivver timbers wayard windAt last yer've come at last.»«You weren't expecting me, I hope»The boy said, puzzled now.«Of course we are» a thing said,Looking slightly like a cow.«We've got the kettle going lad,»A cheerful apple say,«I'll bring a bag of friends alongWot you can have for tay.»

A teawell ate, with dog and treeIs not a common sight,Especially when the dog himselfHad started off the flight.«How did you get here curlew friend?»The boy said all a maze.«The same way you did, in a boat,»The dog yelled through the haze.«Where are all the peoble, please,Wot live when they are dead?I'd like to see them if I mayBefore I'm back in bed.»«You'll see them son,» a carrot said,«Don't hurry us; you knowYou've got to eat a plate of meBefore we let you go!»Then off to see the peoble whomThe lad had come to seeAnd in the distance there he sawA group of tweilve or three.A little further on at lastThere were a lot or more,All digging in the ground and that,All digging in the floor.

«What are you digging all the time?»He asked them like a brother.Before they answered he could seeThey really dug each other,In fact they took it turns apieceTo lay down in the groundAnd shove the soil upon the headsOf all their friends around.Well, what a sight! I ask you now.He had to larf out lnud.Before he knew what happenedHe'd gathered quite a crowed.Without a word, and spades on high,They all dug deep and low,And placed the boy into a holeNext to his Uncle Joe.«I told you not to come out here,»His uncle said, all sad.«I had to Uncle,» said the boy.«You're all the friend I had.»With just their heads above the groundThey bade a fond goodbye,With all the people shouting out«Here's mud into your eye!»(And there certainly was.)