WHAT’S IT FOR?
by
Mab Davis (1935)

The world seems crammed full, fit to bust
With things I mustn’t do!
I wonder they don’t cage boys up,
Like lions at the zoo.
And if they did I shouldn’t care,
If I was a lion I’d roar,
While, as it is, if I just sniff!
Well, what are noses for?
Yesterday I got so mad
I had to tease our cat,
I pulled her tail, and made her squawk
Right out loud – like that!
And then they sent me straight to bed,
You bet I slammed the door
Well, anyway, the cat is mine,
And what are cat’s tails for?
They said to me ‘Now, be quiet, do,
While grandpa has his dose,’
I never made a bit of noise,
But he did – with his nose.
So I just splashed some ink at him,
To teach him not to snore!
So then there was another row,
Well, what are bald heads for?
I had a great big apple,
I bought it for a penny,
They said ‘Give little sister some,
Because she hasn’t any’
And so I gave her all the pips,
The maggots and the core,
And then they said ‘You greedy boy!’
Well, what are sisters for?
I’m always asking questions,
The sort that start with ‘Why?’
I want to know how hens lay eggs
And how the birds can fly?
I want to know ‘bout ‘babies’ –
There’s one called ‘twins’ next door,
I b’lieve it’s got a head both ends!
I wonder what that’s for?
Oh dear! I dunno what to do –
I’ve scribbled on the wall,
I’ve been and let all the hens loose,
I’ve made holes in my ball.
I’ve turned on all the bathroom taps,
It’s running on the floor,
And everybody’s cross with me!
But – I dunno what for!!