THE PLAINT OF THE CAMEL

"Canary-birds feed on sugar and seed,

            Parrots have crackers to crunch;

And as for the poodles, they tell me the noodles

            Have chickens and cream for their lunch.

            But there's never a question

            About MY digestion­

            ANYTHING does for me!

"Cats, you're aware, can repose in a chair,

            Chickens can roost upon rails;

            Puppies are able to sleep in a stable,

            And oysters can slumber in pails.

            But no one supposes

            A poor Camel dozes­

            ANy PLACE does for me!

"Lambs are enclosed where it's never exposed,

            Coops are constructed for hens;

            Kittens are treated to houses well heated,

            And pigs are protected by pens.

            But a Camel comes handy

            Wherever it's sandy­

            ANYWHERE does for me!

"People would laugh if you rode a giraffe,

            Or mounted the back of an ox;

            It's nobody's habit to ride on a rabbit,

            Or try to bestraddle a fox.

            But as for a Camel, he's

            Ridden by families­

            ANy LOAD does for me!

"A snake is as round as a hole in the ground;

            Weasels are wavy and sleek;

            And no alligator could ever be straighter

            Than lizards that live in a creek.

But a Camel's all lumpy And bumpy and humpy­

ANY SHAPE does for me!"