The Owl and the Pussy-Cat

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Edward Lear published this charming poem in his collection, Lear's Nonsense Drolleries: The Owl and the Pussy Cat and the Duck and the Kangaroo, illustrated by William Foster (1889). It remains a favorite for early readers to build confidence.


illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 1 THE Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money Wrapped up in a five-pound note. illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 2 The Owl looked up to the stars above, And sang to a small guitar, "O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love, What a beautiful Pussy you are, You are, You are! What a beautiful Pussy you are!" illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 3 Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing! O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?" illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 4 They sailed away for a year and a day, To the land where the Bong-tree grows, And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood, With a ring at the end of his nose, His nose, His nose, With a ring at the end of his nose. illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 5 "Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will." illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 6 So they took it away, and were married next day By the Turkey who lives on the hill. They dinèd on mince, and slices of quince Which they ate with a runcible spoon; illustration for The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 7 And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon, The moon, The moon, They danced by the light of the moon.


Featured in our selection of Children's Poems and Pre-K Read-Aloud Stories

If you liked this story, you'll enjoy Edward Lear's companion poem, The Duck and the Kangaroo.

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