Page 37 - English_Spark_5

I asked her what the matter was,

Had the pressure cooker burst?

Or had the oven scorched her hand?
I did expect the worst!

She whimpered like a baby,

And pointed to a mouse,

That had the gall and temerity,
To enter into our house!

I picked a broom and shooed at it,
I chased it to the hall.

I almost whacked it sharply,
For driving Mummy up that wall.

But it was quick and cunning.
And soon gave me the slip,

It vanished in the hallway,

Into the garden skip.

I ran into the kitchen,
And helped my Mummy down,

Trembling like an autumn leaf,

She wore a frightened frown...

‘‘I don’t like mice,’’ she whispered,
Her big eyes round with fear,

I felt like superheroes do, scorched—burnt on the surface;

So glad that I was near! whimpered—series of long,
broken crying sounds; gall—
I told her not to worry, courage; temerity—boldness;
With the mice I was at war, shoo—to scare or drive away;

I promised her that she’d be safe, whacked—hit noisily; give a slip—

For that’s what sons are for! to escape from someone; skip—a

—Faith Trekson small vegetable patch.

English-5 37