Pussy-cat

Pussy-cat sits by the fire;
    How should she be fair?
In walks the little dog,
    Says "Pussy! are you there?"

"How do you do, Mistress Pussy?
    Mistress Pussy, how do you do?"
"I thank you kindly, little dog,
    I fare as well as you!"

Helen Beatrix Potter

Helen Beatrix Potter was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist best known for her children's books featuring animals, such as those in 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit.' Born in 1866, she grew up in a wealthy Unitarian family. Potter's works have had a profound impact on children’s literature. Besides writing, she was also an avid conservationist and used proceeds from her books to preserve the Lake District's natural beauty. She passed away in 1943.

Helen Beatrix Potter

Tom Tinker's dog

Helen Beatrix Potter, Simple Poetry

Three blind mice

Helen Beatrix Potter, Simple Poetry

A garden

Helen Beatrix Potter, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Nursery Rhyme. DLIII. Natural History.

    Pussy sits behind the fire,
        How can she be fair?
    In comes the little dog,
        Pussy, are you there?
    So, so, Mistress Pussy,
        Pray how do you do?
    Thank you, thank you, little dog,
        I'm very well just now.

Unknown

Pussy Cat's Doing.

By Susan Hartley


'Twas a good little lady fairy,
Who saddled her wee white mouse,
And rode away to the village,
Long miles from her snug, wee house;
She tied her steed to a flower stalk airy,
And left him there--this most careless fairy!

In Fairyland no dreadful pussies
Do prowl, and do growl and slay--
In Fairyland the mice have honor,
And draw the queen's carriage gay;
And the little lady ne'er thought of danger
Because on the fence sat a green-eyed stranger,

But hurried away in a twinkling
Down a dark and gloomy street,
Where daily the charm of her presence
Made the children's dreams more sweet;
Then Pussy Cat sprang as quick as magic!
One squeal (as I've heard the story tragic)

And down his throat went steed and...

Clara Doty Bates

Tom Tinker's dog

Bow, wow, wow!
        Whose dog art thou?
"I'm little Tom Tinker's dog,
        Bow, wow, wow!"

Helen Beatrix Potter

Ninny nanny netticoat

Ninny nanny netticoat,
In a white petticoat,
        With a red nose,--
The longer she stands,
        The shorter she grows.

Helen Beatrix Potter

Nursery Rhyme. DLXVII. Natural History.

    Pussey cat sits by the fire,
        How did she come there?
    In walks the little dog,
        Says, "Pussey! are you there?
    How do you do, Mistress Pussey?
        Mistress Pussey, how d'ye do?"
    "I thank you kindly, little dog,
        I fare as well as you!"

Unknown

Puss In The Corner.

"You are a naughty pussy-cat,
I think it right to mention that,
To all who see your picture here,
'Twas you who broke my Bunny dear.

An hour ago, as you can tell,
I left him here, alive and well;
And now he's dead and, what is more,
You've broke his leg I'm pretty sure.

For you my puss I'll never care,
No never, never, never, there,
And you are in disgrace you know,
And in the corner you must go.

What crying? Then I must cry too
And I can't bear to punish you;
Perhaps my Bunny isn't dead,
Perhaps you've only stunned his head.

And though I'm sure you broke his leg,
It may be mended with a peg,
And though he's very, very, funny,
My Bunny's not a real Bunny,
And I'll forgive and tell you that,
...

Lizzie Lawson