August
25
Matilda Who Told Lies And Was Burnt To Death
Matilda tolld such dreadful lies, It made one gasp and stretch ones eyes;
Her Aunt, who, from her earliest youth, had kept a strict regard of thruth,
Attempted to believe Matilda: The effort very nearly killed her,
And would have done so, had not she dicovered this infirmity.
For once, toward the close of day, Matilda, growing tired of play,
And finding she was left alone, tiptoed to the telephone
And summoned the immediate aid of London’s noble fire brigade.
Within a hour the gallant band were pouring in on every hand,
From Putney, hackney Downs and Bow with courage high and hearts a-glow
They galloped, roaring through the town “Matilda’s house is burning down!”
Inspired by British cheers and loud proceeding from the frenzied crowd,
They ran their ladders through a score of windows on the ballroom floor;
And took particular pains to souse the pictures up and down the house,
Until malda’s Aunt succeeded in showing them they were not needed;
And even then she had to pay to get the men to go away.!
It happened that a few weeks later her Aunt was off to the theatre
To see that interesting play The second Mrs TanQueray.
She had refused to take her neice to hear this entertaining peice:
A deprivation just and wise to punish her for telling lies.
That night a fire did break out- you should have heard matilda shout!
You should have heard her scream and bawl, and throw the window up and call
To people passing in the street- (the rapidly increasing heat
Encouraging her to obtain their confidence)- but all in vain!
For every time she shouted ” fire!” They only answered “Little liar.”
And threfore when her Aunt returned, Matilda and the house, were burned.
Hilaire Belloc
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