Punky Dunk and the Gold Fish

Excerpt

Punky Dunk, so fat, was a black and white catOf exceedingly tender years.He had black on his nose and the tips of his toes,On the end of his tail and his ears.He cast his lot in a very soft spotFor his bed was a box full of straw,And he slept all night with his eyes shut tightAnd his little black nose on his paw.Punky Dunk would peep, though he seemed asleep,At the bird in its cage of brass,And his tail he swayed when the gold fish playedIn their clear little bowl of glass."Though my coat's like silk from my drinking milk,"He would say, "I often wishI might change my food——as I think I should——To a meal on a nice plump fish."So he winked his eye and he heaved a sigh,And he said: "I really thinkThat it would be grand to jump on that standAnd see how the fishes drink."The fish globe round he reached with a boundAnd stood with his paws on the rimLooking in with an air that was certain to scareThe fish as they looked at him.His cunning head bent and his little nose wentRight down, while his tongue flashed red——When, O, what a sight! The fish in their frightSplashed water all over his head.And Punky Dunk howled and Punky Dunk yowledAnd Punky Dunk fell to the floor,And he bristled and spat like a terrified catAs he fled through the dining room door.In the big glass bowl, when the waves ceased to rollAll the little gold fish were so gladThat each wiggled his fins as he said through his grins:"That's the most fun we ever have had."Now Punky Dunk lies on the floor and he sighs:"It is best for a cat to be good,For I cannot forget how I got my coat wetWhen I didn't do just as I should."...