A Spider and a Centipede went out to take a walk; <br />The Centipede said frankly, 'I will listen while you talk, <br />But I may appear distracted, or assume a vacant stare, <br />Because to keep my feet in step requires my constant care.' <br /> <br />Said the Spider: 'I appreciate your most peculiar case, <br />And your feet must be quite handy when you want to run a race; <br />But though you gain in some ways, in some other ways you lose; <br />And, of course, my friend, you must be quite extravagant in shoes.' <br /> <br />'Ah! yes. Ah! yes,' a heavy sigh escaped the Centipede; <br />'And I have other trials, too;--my life is hard indeed! <br />Why, sometimes when I'm very tired, a long, long time it takes <br />To ascertain with certainty which foot it is that aches. <br /> <br />'And when I go to dancing-class on Saturdays at three, <br />I find the First Position very difficult for me. <br />Though I put my best foot foremost, and good time I try to keep, <br />To my chagrin, I often find a foot or two asleep. <br /> <br />Athletics I attempted, but, alas! I must admit <br />That every exercise I tried I put my foot in it. <br />I think I'll join a foot-ball team,--as many friends suggest,-- <br />Before I've one foot in the grave and gout in all the rest. <br /> <br />But now I'll say good-morning; for, my friend, I have to stop <br />To get my boots blacked neatly at this little boot-black's shop; <br />And, as you may imagine, it will keep me here some time, <br />But, what is worse, I'll have to pay him many a hard-earned dime.' <br /> <br />The Spider said good-morning, and pursued his way alone, <br />And as he went he murmured, in a thoughtful undertone: <br />'I'm a happy little Spider, and I'm very glad indeed, <br />That I was born an octoped and not a centipede!'<br /><br />Carolyn Wells<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-two-friends-2/
