Struwwelpeter

The Story of Cruel Frederick

This Frederick! this Frederick! A naughty, wicked boy was he; He caught the flies, poor little things, And then tore off their tiny wings; He kill'd the birds, and broke the chairs, And throw the kitten down the stairs; And oh! far worse and worse, He whipp'd his good and gentle nurse!

The trough was full, and faithful Tray Came out to drink one sultry day; He wagg'd his tail, and wet his lip, When cruel Fred snatch'd up a whip, And whipp'd poor Tray till he was sore, And kick'd and whipp'd him more and more; At this, good Tray grow very red, And growl'd and bit him till he bled; Then you should only have been by, To see how Fred did scream and cry!

So Frederick had to go to bed; His leg was very sore and red! The Doctor came and shook his head, And made a very great to-do, And gave him bitter physic too. But good dog Tray is happy now; He has no time to say "bow-wow!" He seats himself in Frederick's chair, And laughs to see the nice things there: The soup he swallows, sup by sup,- And eats the pies and puddings up.

=> The Dreadful Story of Pauline and the Matches