Monosyllabics–a Classic Children's Poem by Laura E. Richards

This story isn't really a story. It's a poem. What makes it's both unique and fun is that every word has just one syllable. Why don't you read along: The black cat sat In the fat man’s hat; “Oh, dear!” the fat man said. “May the great gray bat Catch the bad black cat Who has left me no hat For my head!” The big brown bear Tried to curl his hair To go to the Fair so gay. But he looked such a fright That his aunt took flight, And he cried till night, they say. A pale pink pig, In a large blond wig, Danced a wild, wild jig On the lea; But a rude old goat, In a sky-blue coat, Said, “You’re nought but a shoat, tee hee!” A poor old King Sold his gay gold ring For to buy his old wife some cream; But the cat lapped it up With a sip and a sup, And his tears ran down in a stream. A large red cow Tried to make a bow, But did not know how, They say. For her legs got mixed, And her horns got fixed, And her tail would get In her way. A boy named Sam Had a fat pet ram, And gave him some jam For his tea; But the fat pet ram Tried to butt poor Sam, Till he had to turn And flee. A girl named Jane Had a sad, bad pain In the place where she wore Her belt; She mopped and she mowed, And she screamed aloud, Just to show the crowd How she felt. A sad, thin ape Bought some wide white tape To trim a new cape For his niece; But a bold buff calf, With a loud, rude laugh, Bit off one whole half For his geese. A pert, proud hen Laid an egg, and then Said “Cluck!” and “cluck!” and “cluck!” Said the cock, “Had I known You would take that tone, I would have wooed none But a duck!” Heya grownups! It’s me, the Readastorus! I looove sharing stories to your awesome kids—but guess what? My very good friend Don (he’s not a dinosaur, but he’s still pretty cool) has a story podcast just for YOU! It’s called LitReading —and it’s full of amazing old-timey tales by famous human writer-folks! Spooky ones! Funny ones! Think bedtime stories… for grown up kids! So when the kids are all tucked in—or running around in circles—search for LitReading wherever you find podcasts. Tell Don I sent ya! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Monosyllabics–a Classic Children's Poem by Laura E. Richards is an episode from Readastorus - Classic Children's Stories by Don McDonald.

This episode is 2:56 long.

This episode was published on Oct 2, 2025.

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