Испалец в колесе (сборник на русском и английском)

Whilst all the tow was sleepy

Crept a little boy from bed

To fained the wondrous peoble

Wot lived when they were dead.

He packed a little voucher

For his dinner 'neath a tree.

«Perhumps a tiny dwarf or two

Would share abite with me?

Perchamp I'll see the Wumberlog

The highly feathered crow,

The larfing leaping Harristweed

And good old Uncle Joe.»

He packed he very trunkase,

Clean sockers for a week,

His book and denzil for his notes,

Then out the windy creep.

He met him friendly magic dog,

All black and curlew too,

Wot flew him fast in second class

To do wot he must do.

«I'll leave you now sir,» said the dog,

«But just before I go

I must advise you,» said his friend

«This boat to careflee row.»

«I thank you kindly friendly pal,

I will,» and so he did,

And floated down towards the land

Where all the secrets hid.

What larfs aplenty did he larf,

It seeming so absurd;

Whilst losing all his oars,

On his head he found a bird.

«Hello,» the bird said, larfing too,

«I hope you don't mind me,

I've come to guide you here on in,

In case you're lost at sea.»

Well fancy that, the boy thought,

I never knew till now

That birds could speak so plainly.

He wondered — wonder how?

«What kind of bird are you sir?»

He said with due respect,

«I hope I'm not too nosey

But I didn't not expect.»

«I am a wumberlog you see,»

The bird replied — all coy,

«The highly feathered species lad,

You ought to jump for joy.»

«I would I would, if only, but

You see — well — yes, oh dear,

The thing is dear old Wumberlog

I'm petrified with fear!»

«Now don't be silly» said the bird,

«I friendly — always — and

I'm not like Thorpy Grumphlap,

I'll show you when we land.»

And soon the land came interview,

A 'tastic sight for sure,

An island with an eye to see

To guide you into shore.

«Hard to starboard» said a tree,

«Yer focsle mainsle blast

Shivver timbers wayard wind

At last yer've come at last.»

«You weren't expecting me, I hope»

The boy said, puzzled now.

«Of course we are» a thing said,

Looking slightly like a cow.

«We've got the kettle going lad,»

A cheerful apple say,

«I'll bring a bag of friends along

Wot you can have for tay.»

A teawell ate, with dog and tree

Is not a common sight,

Especially when the dog himself

Had started off the flight.

«How did you get here curlew friend?»

The boy said all a maze.

«The same way you did, in a boat,»

The dog yelled through the haze.

«Where are all the peoble, please,

Wot live when they are dead?

I'd like to see them if I may

Before I'm back in bed.»

«You'll see them son,» a carrot said,

«Don't hurry us; you know

You've got to eat a plate of me

Before we let you go!»

Then off to see the peoble whom

The lad had come to see

And in the distance there he saw

A group of tweilve or three.

A little further on at last

There were a lot or more,

All digging in the ground and that,

All digging in the floor.

«What are you digging all the time?»

He asked them like a brother.

Before they answered he could see

They really dug each other,

In fact they took it turns apiece

To lay down in the ground

And shove the soil upon the heads

Of all their friends around.

Well, what a sight! I ask you now.

He had to larf out lnud.

Before he knew what happened

He'd gathered quite a crowed.

Without a word, and spades on high,

They all dug deep and low,

And placed the boy into a hole

Next to his Uncle Joe.

«I told you not to come out here,»

His uncle said, all sad.

«I had to Uncle,» said the boy.

«You're all the friend I had.»

With just their heads above the ground

They bade a fond goodbye,

With all the people shouting out

«Here's mud into your eye!»

(And there certainly was.)