Shrifty Corner

Shrifty Corner

At the edge of Shrifty Forest,
Just behind a hollow tree,
Live Old Nellie and her kittens,
Merlin, Star and Zebedee.

The cottage roof is thatched with rushes,
Bundled up with straw and hay,
Smoke swirls up the twisty chimney,
And the cauldron brews all day.

Cobwebs hang above the fire
And the doors creak when they close,
Nellie sits and brews her magic,
Warms her hands and toasts her toes.

With her lives the kittens' mother,
Moon the cat, a tabby fine.
Every day she keeps those kittens
And their playful ways, in line.

Merlin is all black and fluffy,
Star has white upon her chest,
With his mischief, games and antics
Zebedee's the naughtiest.

Up the crooked wooden staircase
Leading to their attic bed
All the kittens chase and scamper
Then they jump on Nellie's head.

They all rush to help Old Nellie
Every washday, scrubbing clothes,
Witches' robes from washing basket
Flapping on the line in rows.

Kits throw clothes pegs at each other,
Toss the basket in the air,
Climb the tree in Nellie's garden,
Catch the old Witch by her hair.

But Old Nellie loves her kittens,
Even when they drive her mad.
For they make her shriek with laughter,
It's the best fun Nellie's had.

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