The Pencil's Story

I am little pencil, and my name is H and B,

I lie upon the mantelpiece for everyone to see;

I am handled forty times a day, it is a weary life,

And when my wits are rather dull I am sharpened with a knife!

I scrawl when Tommy has me, and I draw all sorts of things,

From submarines and airoplanes to cabbages and kings;

I write a lovely letter when Miss Phyllis is about,

And if by chance I make mistakes Miss Phyllis rubs them out.

And if I slip and tumble down I am certain to be missed,

For mother wants me badly when she does the washing-list,

And Father makes me keep the score when he begins to play

I am just a little pencil, but I have a busy boy.

I really never am allowed to grow up as I ought,

I am getting shorter every day(it's awful to short),

And when the knife begins on me

I ache in every joint,

I put it in that way because you are sure to see the point.

                                                                              - Florence Hoatson