Some Roundabout Papers

by William Makepeace Thackeray

brush, and the cock has brought his comb, and the elephant has

  brought his trunk, and the kangaroo has brought his bag, and the

  condor his old white wig and black satin hood. On this day it

  was so cold that the white bears winked their pink eyes, as they

  plapped up and down by their pool, and seemed to say, "Aha, this

  weather reminds us of dear home!" "Cold! bah! I have got such a

  warm coat," says brother Bruin, "I don't mind"; and he laughs on

  his pole, and clucks down a bun. The squealing hyaenas gnashed

  their teeth and laughed at us quite refreshingly at their window;

  and, cold as it was, Tiger, Tiger, burning bright, glared at us

  red-hot through his bars, and snorted blasts of hell. The woolly

  camel leered at us quite kindly as he paced round his ring on his

  silent pads. We went to our favourite places. Our dear wambat

  came up, and had himself scratched very affably. Our fellow-

  creatures in the monkey room held out their little black hands,

  and piteously asked us for Christmas alms. Those darling

  alligators on their rock winked at us in the most friendly way.

  The solemn eagles sat alone, and scowled at us from their peaks;

  whilst little Tom Ratel tumbled over head and heels for us in his

  usual diverting manner. If I have cares in my mind, I come to

  the Zoo, and fancy they don't pass the gate. I recognise my

  friends, my enemies, in countless cages. I entertained the

  eagle, the vulture, the old billy-goat, and the black-pated,

  crimson-necked, blear-eyed, baggy, hook-beaked old marabou stork

  yesterday at dinner; and when Bob's aunt came to tea in the

  evening, and asked him what he had seen, he stepped up to her

  gravely, and said --

  "First I saw the white bear, then I saw the black,

  Then I saw the camel with a hump upon his back.

  Chorus of Children

  Then I saw the camel with a HUMP upon his back!

  Then I saw the grey wolf, with mutton in his maw;

  Then I saw the wambat waddle in the straw;

  Then I saw the elephant with his waving trunk,

  Then I saw the monkeys -- mercy, how unpleasantly they -- smelt!"

  There. No one can beat that piece of wit, can he Bob? And so it

  is over; but we had a jolly time, whilst you were with us,

  hadn't we? Present my respects to the doctor; and I hope, my

  boy, we may spend another merry Christmas next year.