"But what about painting a canary?" your Aunt Amy asked. "You spoke of such a thing a moment ago."

"Yes, and it is what I am telling you about. Mr. Crow wrote the poetry which tells the story, and you shall hear it."

Then Mrs. Mouser Cat repeated the following:

For he was such a knowing puss--
Oh yes, he was!
A really clever, sharp young puss--
Oh yes, he was!
He wouldn't do as others do,
He said, "I know a thing or two,
I do!

"To-morrow is the great bird show--
I think it is;
The far-renowned canary show--
Of course it is.
Some yellow ochre, so I've heard,
Will wondrously improve a bird,
I've heard

Thomas Cat Paints the Canary

"I think I'll enter at that show--
I think I will,
Just make one entry for that show--
By Jove, I will.
And if my bird don't get the prize,
Why it will be, as I surmise,
A surprise!"

The show was held--a great success--
Of course it was!
By all 'twas called a huge success--
Indeed it was!
The judges were experienced cats;
They wore tail-coats, and large top-hats--
Such hats!

Young Tom was there--he'd brought his bird--
Just think! he had!
He'd really dared to bring that bird--
Oh yes, he had!
He said, "No one will ever know
That my canary's all no go,
Oh no!"

The Spry Old Judge

But one old judge was rather spry--
Oh yes, he was!
You'd not have thought him half so spry,
But oh, he was!
He said, "Why really, on my word!
Disqualify that shocking bird!--
Absurd!"

So Tom's bird was disqualified--
Of course it was!
Disgracefully disqualified,
Ah yes, it was!
And Tom, although he thought he knew
A thing or two, found others too
Who knew.

"Mr. Thomas must have believed that honesty was the best policy, before he got through with the bird show," your Aunt Amy suggested, and Mrs. Mouser Cat laughed as she replied:

"It would have shamed almost any cat; but it didn't seem to make a bit of difference with young Thomas. He was just as pert as ever the next day, and went around telling about the prize he would have taken if the judge hadn't discovered the fraud. It would have served him right if he had been punished as was Mr. Fox."