The Robin and the Squirrel
Said the Robin to the Squirrel,
“How d’ you do?”
Said the Squirrel to the Robin,
“How are you?”
“Oh, I’ve got some cherry pies,
And a half a dozen flies,
And a kettle full of beetles on to stew.”
Said the Squirrel to the Robin,
“How d’ you do?”
Said the Robin to the Squirrel,
“How are you?”
“I’ve a nest that’s nice and neat,
And a wife that can’t be beat,
And I’m every bit as happy now as you.”
First published in The Peter Patter Book of Nursery Rhymes (1918).
It has that soft, back-and-forth rhythm of two kind creatures who simply enjoy talking. There’s a hint of humor in the way the robin lists his strange “menu,” while the squirrel brags about his home life with quiet satisfaction.
Blanche Fisher Wright’s illustration brings it to life like a polite woodland tea party. Both animals look perfectly civil, even elegant — a kettle bubbling between them, a path curling toward the trees. It’s a gentle reminder that happiness doesn’t look the same for everyone, but it always sounds cheerful when shared.
