<h2><span><SPAN name="10">THE IMPECUNIOUS CRICKET</SPAN></span><br>
<br>
<span> AND</span><br>
<br>
<span> THE FRUGAL ANT</span><br/></h2>
<br/>
<br/>
There was an ant, a spinster ant,<br/>
Whose virtues were so many<br/>
That she became intolerant<br/>
Of those who hadn't any:<br/>
She had a small and frugal mind<br/>
And lived a life ascetic,<br/>
Nor was her temperament the kind<br/>
That's known as sympathetic.<br/>
<br/>
I skip details. Suffice to say<br/>
That, knocking at her wicket,<br/>
There chanced to come one autumn day<br/>
A common garden cricket<br/>
So ragged, poor, and needy that,<br/>
Without elucidation,<br/>
One saw the symptoms of a bat<br/>
Of several months' duration.<br/>
<br/>
He paused beside her door-step, and,<br/>
With one pathetic gesture,<br/>
He called attention with his hand<br/>
To both his shoes and vesture.<br/>
"I joined," said he, "an opera troupe.<br/>
They suddenly disbanded,<br/>
And left me on the hostel stoop,<br/>
Lugubriously stranded.<br/>
<br/>
"I therefore lay aside my pride<br/>
And frankly ask for clothing."<br/>
"Begone!" the frugal ant replied.<br/>
"I look on you with loathing.<br/>
Your muddy shoes have spoiled the lawn,<br/>
Your hands have soiled the fence, too.<br/>
If you need money, go and pawn<br/>
Your watch--if you have sense to."<br/>
<br/>
THE MORAL is: Albeit lots<br/>
Of people follow Dr. Watts,<br/>
The sluggard, when his means are scant,<br/>
Should seek an uncle, not an ant!<br/>
<br/>
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