The Elephant’s Child
-Rudyard Kipling-
I keep six honest
serving-men
(They taught me all
I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And
How and Where and Who.
I send them over
land and sea,
I send them east and
west;
But after they have
worked for me,
I give them all a rest.
I let them rest from
nine till five,
For I am busy then,
As well as
breakfast, lunch and tea,
For
they are hungry men.
But different folk
have different views.
I know a person
small—
She keeps ten
million serving-men,
Who get no rest at
all!
She sends ‘em abroad on her own affairs,
From the second she
opens her eyes—
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million
Whys!