An Impromptu Fairy-Tale

by James Whitcomb Riley

　　

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An Impromptu Fairy-Tale was retrieved from Riley's collection, The Book of Joyous Children (1902).

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When I wuz ist a little bit o' weenty-teenty kid I maked up a Fairy-tale, all by myse'f, I did:— I Wunst upon a time wunst They wuz a Fairy King, An' ever'thing he have wuz gold—, His clo'es, an' ever'thing! An' all the other Fairies In his goldun Palace-hall Had to hump an' hustle— 'Cause he wuz bosst of all! II He have a goldun trumput, An' when he blow' on that, It's a sign he want' his boots, Er his coat er hat: They's a sign fer ever'thing,— An' all the Fairies knowed Ever' sign, an' come a-hoppin' When the King blowed! III Wunst he blowed an' telled 'em all: "Saddle up yer bees— Fireflies is gittin' fat An' sassy as you please!— Guess we'll go a-huntin'!" So they hunt' a little bit, Till the King blowed "Supper-time," Nen they all quit. IV Nen they have a Banqut In the Palace-hall, An' ist et! an' et! an' et! Nen they have a Ball; An' when the Queen o' Fairyland Come p'omenadin' through, The King says an' halts her,— "Guess I'll marry you!"

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