The Birds Discuss the Aeroplane
Said the Owl: "It's a marvel! I never have heard Of such a gigantic, impossible bird."
Said the Vulture: "Its wings are of awkward design, But as big as a hundred, a thousand, of mine."
Said the Swallow: "It's one of the funniest things, For often I've seen it with two pairs of wings."
Said the Thrush: "What a clatter and whir are its cries! And it won't sing a note except when it flies."
Said the Eagle: "It climbs most amazingly high; I've met it a mile or more up in the sky."
Said the Buzzard: "It soars with a beautiful grace, And it curves and it dives at a wonderful pace."
Said the Duck: "I have seen one afloat on the sea, That rose from the water exactly like me."
Said the Hawk: "It's astounding! Again and again I've seen the bird capture and carry off--men!"
"But sometimes it tumbles," the Whippoorwill said, "And lies on the ground like a bundle of lead."
"And one," said the Crane, "with a terrible sound Exploded, and fell, all afire, to the ground."
"Dear me!" said they all, "what a puzzling affair! It's the queerest of creatures that fly in the air!" by Anonymous
