Grandfather says the tree-toad,
That to our yard has come,
Is just a little wee toad
No bigger than his thumb!
And that his coat's so queer it
Can turn from green to blue!
Whatever color's near it,
Why, that's its color, too!
And then Grandfather snickers
And says, "Would you suppose
He climbs with little stickers
On all his little toes?
"And don't you wish your toes now
Were fixed like his? For, see,
Right up the elm he goes now
And sticks tight to the tree!"
"But then," he says, "O dear me!
If all the little boys
Could screech as loud, I fear me
There'd be a dreadful noise!"