Was ever a maiden so worried? <br />I’ll admit I am partial to Jim, <br />For Jimmie has promised to wed me <br />When I’m old enough to wed him. <br /> <br />But then I love teacher, too, dearly, <br />She’s always so lovely to me, <br />And she’s pretty and kind and sweet-tempered, <br />And gentle as gentle can be. <br /> <br />I wouldn’t for worlds hurt Jim’s feelings, <br />For he never would like me again— <br />But there was my dearest, sweet teacher, <br />And I’d die if my words gave her pain. <br /> <br />'Two plus two equals what?' was the problem. <br />And I knew teacher thought it made 'four'; <br />But Jimmie said 'six,' and maintained it <br />As long as he stood on the floor. <br /> <br />And I saw I must soon choose between them, <br />For I was the next in the line. <br />Should I side with my teacher or Jimmie? <br />What a sad situation was mine! <br /> <br />And just as my heart with that problem <br />Of friendship was so sorely vexed <br />I was called on to answer the other, <br />For teacher had said, sharply, 'Next!' <br /> <br />It was then that the brilliant thought struck me, <br />That by compromise I could contrive <br />To hurt neither teacher nor Jimmie, <br />And that’s how I came to say 'five.'<br /><br />Ellis Parker Butler<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/why-i-went-to-the-foot/
