Historical Poem
What Three Little Kittens Did: A FACT
From Godey's Magazine, 1889
THREE little kittens, so downy and soft,
Were cuddled up by the fire,
And two little children were sleeping aloft,
As cosey as heart could desire;
Dreaming of something ever so nice,
Dolls and sugar plums! rats and mice!
The night wore on and the mistress said,
“I’m sleepy, I must confess,
And as kitties and babies are safe in bed,
I’ll go to bed, too, I guess.”
So she went up-stairs just a story higher,
While the kittens slept by the kitchen fire.
“What noise can that be?” the mistress said;
“Meow! meow!” “I’m afraid
A poor kitty-cat’s fallen out of bed!
The nice little nest I made!”
“Meow! meow!” “Dear me! dear me!
I wonder what can the matter be!”
The mistress paused on an upper stair,
For what did she see below,
But three little kittens, with frightened air,
Standing up in a row;
With six little paws on the step above,
And no mother cat to caress or love!
Through the kitchen door came a cloud of smoke!
The mistress, in great alarm,
To a sense of danger straightway awoke;
Her babies might come to harm!
On the kitchen hearth, to her great amaze,
Was a basket of shavings beginning to blaze!
The three little kittens were hugged and kissed,
And promised many a mouse;
While their names were put upon honor’s list,
For hadn’t they saved a house?
And two little children were gathered tight
To their mother’s heart ere she slept that night.
***
If you liked this piece, you might also enjoy these:
Animal Pictures
A Plea for Pussy and Her Possibilities as a Pet (1889)
Our American Birds (1889)
Purrings (Poem—1888)
Back to Historical Articles Index
Maintaining this website (which you are enjoying for free!) takes a lot of time and resources.
Please show your support for all our hard work by telling your friends about Sarah's books —and by buying them yourself, too, of course!
Tales of Chetzemoka
For words of wit and advice sage,
I hope you'll like my author page!
History lessons, folks who dare,
Please do share it while you're there!
https://www.youtube.com/@Victorianlady
Thank you!
***
If our website has been helpful to you, please consider making a cash donation.
Your generous support helps us maintain this website and continue our outreach, so that we can keep teaching others about the history we love.
Everything helps and is appreciated!
Search this website:
***