A fun poem for children. How the turtle got his bride! |
CUNNING TURTLE: A BALLAD REFRAIN: Purple turtle of Orange, Did his own marriage arrange He first borrowed a silver, And then he went to Denver. I There was once a big turtle, Whose skin was red and purple; He lived in city Orange, One mile was his walking range. II One day an older turtle, On him did challenge hurtle: ‘I will give you with a smile My daughter, go up one mile.' REFRAIN: Purple turtle of Orange, Did his own marriage arrange. He first borrowed a silver, And then he went to Denver. III So thought the cunning turtle: ‘This has many a hurdle; I just don't know how to fly, But I can't let her go by'. IV He put on his thinking cap, And, lo! He worked out the trap; ‘This is easy, let me try, Why can't go I one mile high'?* REFRAIN: Purple turtle of Orange, Did his own marriage arrange He first borrowed a silver, And then he went to Denver. V He then borrowed a silver, Bought a ticket to Denver.* From Denver he sent a wire: "Come soon with your daughter, Sire. VI I have come full one mile high; You can come and verify." He got married, as promised; And, both, then happily lived. REFRAIN: Purple turtle of Orange, Did his own marriage arrange He first borrowed a silver, And then he went to Denver. * Written in aa bb 7-7-7-7 format *Denver, capital of Colorado, is known as the "Mile High City" as its height is 5280 feet [1609 Meter] above sea level. • Initially written as item no. 760724, rated 4.5 by 4 viewers, which was replaced on 13 April 2005 by entry no. 342908 in the book SCIENCE, MEDICAL, LAW, HUMOR, CHILDREN, "SCIENCE, MEDICAL, LAW, HUMOR, CHILDREN" . Posted as the present static item on 22 April 2008. • Featured as the Editor’s choice in Poetry Newsletter dated 27 August 2008. M C Gupta 5 October 2003 |