  girl holding branch with caterpillar on it The Caterpillar has to crawl. He cannot run or jump at all. girl catching ball ANNE was a lively child at play, And quick as she could be, But when an errand must be run Ah, slow of foot was she. “My child,” said grandmamma one day, “Run to my room and look, And bring me, from my bureau there, My spectacles and book.” “Oh, grandmamma, I’m reading now,” The lazy Annie said, “I do not want to leave my book, Mayn’t Mary go instead?” Girl reading with Granmother in nearby chair No wonder grandmamma looked pained When Annie answered so, But little Mary cried, “Why, yes! Of course I’d love to go.” “Come little Anne,” her mother called, “Run down the street for me, And get some thread to sew your frock. Let’s see how quick you’ll be.” girl talking to mother “Oh dear! I’m tired,” Anne replied, “Why cannot Mary go? Or nurse? She’s not been out all day, Indeed she told me so.” “My child, my child!” her mother said, “Whatever shall I do? You’re such a lazy, useless girl I feel ashamed of you. girl wakes up with caterpillar feet instead of her own “Your little feet run fast enough For pleasure or for fun, But you can hardly crawl about When errands must be run.” But listen now! One day Anne woke And felt quite strange and queer. “Whatever’s happened to me now,” She cried; “Oh dear, oh dear! “Oh mother! nurse! Come in here quick And tell me what is wrong. I seem to have so many feet— My body feels so long.” Mamma and nurse came hurrying in, Ah what a sight to see! Poor Anne! A caterpillar’s legs And stubby feet had she. mother sadly watching girl creep up stairs with caterpillar feet She scarce knew how to turn herself Nor how to climb from bed. “However shall I run or play!” The poor child sadly said. Mamma and nurse were shocked and grieved, And so was grandma, too, While little Mary sobbed, “Oh dear! Whatever will she do!” But like a caterpillar soon She learned to crawl around, Although her legs were now so short She almost touched the ground. ’Twas sad indeed to be so slow When she had been so fleet. No longer could she play about Nor run out in the street. girl bringing book to grandmother, girl's legs better Her greatest pleasure was to find Some errand she could go, And up and down the stairs she’d trudge With patient steps and slow. She waited on her grandmamma, And on her mother, too. No one could ask her anything She was not glad to do. One day her watchful mother said, “It really seems to me Anne’s legs are growing long and slim, More like they used to be. “She does not have so many now. Her body’s shorter, too. I saw her standing up to-day Quite as she used to do.” girl wakes up with own legs again “I’ve noticed that,” her grandma said, “Indeed I hope some day To see our Anne herself again, And fit for work and play.” And so it was. For one day Anne Awoke to find once more She was the selfsame nimble child That she had been before. Then what rejoicings filled the house, All gathered round to see; And as for Anne, as you may guess, A thankful child was she. And never since has Annie lost Her willing, useful ways, And her mamma and every one All speak of her with praise.
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