BEASTLY TALES

(Cleanliness is a virtue)

Bertram was a filthy child
Rarely washing, unbeguiled.
Where might he have been?
When teachers tried to teach hygiene
Teeth were green, skin was dirty
Friends would call him Dirty Bertie
Take a bath, use a scrubber!
They would shout. He would blubber,
"I take a bath once a year"
"And scrub as well behind each ear"
"Unsatisfactory as that may be"
"I wash my hands before my tea"

Now up steps Bertie's father
With a bucket of soapy lather
"Use this," he said "and don't you skimp"
"Clean yourself you disgusting shrimp"
Exclaiming with a hefty thud,
"I'll get you clean, or my name is mud!"