Mr. Owl, Mr. Sparrow, Mr. Bear

MR. OWL (stretching his wings):Heigho! It’s dark!How fast the daylight goes!I must have over-slept. It’s time I roseAnd went about my breakfast to prepare.I should keep better hours; I declare,Before I got to bed ’t was broad daylight!That must be why I’m getting up to-nightWith such a sleepy feeling in my head.Heigho! Heigho! (Yawns.)

MR. SPARROW: Why don’t you go to bed,If you’re so very sleepy?--it’s high time!The sun has set an hour ago, and I’mGoing home myself as fast as I can trot.Night is the time for sleep.

MR. OWL: The time for what?The time for sleep, you say?

MR. SPARROW: That’s what I said.

MR. OWL:Well, my dear bird, your reason must have fled!

MR. SPARROW (icily):I do not catch your meaning quite, I fear.

MR. OWL:I mean you’re talking nonsense. Is that clear?

MR. SPARROW (angrily):Say that again--again, sir, if you dare!Say it again!

MR. OWL: As often as you care.You’re talking nonsense--stuff and nonsense--there!

MR. SPARROW (hopping one twig higher up):You are a coward, sir, and impolite!(Hopping on a still higher twig)And if you were n’t beneath me I would fight.

MR. OWL:I am beneath you, true enough, my friend,By just two branches. Will you not descend?Or shall I--

MR. SPARROW (hastily):No, don’t rise. Tell me insteadWhat was the nonsense that you thought I said.

MR. OWL:It may be wrong, but if I heard aright,You said the proper time for sleep was night.

MR. SPARROW:That’s what I said, and I repeat it too!

MR. OWL:Then you repeat a thing that is not true.Day is the time for sleep, not night.

MR. SPARROW: Absurd!Who’s talking nonsense now?

MR. OWL: Impudent bird!How dare you answer back, you upstart fowl!MR. SPARROW: How dare you call me upstart--you--you--Owl!

MR. OWL: This is too much! I’ll stand no more, I vow!Defend yourself!

MR. BEAR (looking out of hollow tree):Come, neighbors, stop that row!What you’re about I’m sure I cannot think.I only know I have n’t had one winkOf sleep. Indeed, I’ve borne it long enough.’T would put the mildest temper in a huff;

And I am but a bear. Why don’t you goTo bed like other folks, I’d like to know?Summer is long enough to keep awake--Winter’s the time when honest people takeTheir three months’ sleep.

MR. SPARROW: That settles me! I fly!Dear Mr. Owl and Mr. Bear, good-by! [Exit.

MR. OWL:I must go too, to find another wood.Every one’s mad in this queer neighborhood!It is not safe such company to keep.Good evening, Mr. Bear. [Exit.

MR. BEAR: Now I shall sleep.