THE CRACK IN THE CEILING

(or, THE TALE OF THE SPIDER)

by Eveline Paulson

 

"There's a crack in the ceiling,"

Michael called out,

"The paper's all peeling,"

His mother's shout

Made him jump with fright,

Calling loudly, "Put out that light!"

Michael trembled and shook with fear

As he watched the widening crack,

From whence a hairy leg did appear;

"Mum, Mum, PLEASE come back

And save me from this creature!"

"Oh, go to sleep you silly boy,

Or I'll have to tell your teacher."

Michael's screams rent the air,

As the spider dangled down,

His mother left her easy chair,

Climbed the stairs with a frown;

He cluing to her, and said, "Oh, Mum,

I'm scared it's going to eat me."

"Come now, Michael, don't be glum,

We'll chase it home, you'll see."

Up the wall it scampered,

As Michael almost wept,

Into the crack unhampered

The long hairy legs crept;

His mother, quick as a flash,

Jumped on Michael's bed,

Wielding a trowel with vim and dash,

She plastered the crack over head.

Michael then slept in peace;

His worries were no more,

But the spider's lease

Aloft, made it chuckle evermore!