Samuil Marshak
The Silly Little Mouse

Mother Mousie sang one night:
«Sleep, my darling, sleep in peace.
And when you wake in morning bright.
You shall have some candle grease.»

Little Mouse, half asleep.
Gave a fretful little peep:
«Stop sour squeaking, Mommie dear.
Find a nurse and bring her here.»

Mother Mousie ran to get
The Duck to nurse her little pet:
«Please to move into our house
And be a nanny to my mouse.»

Ducky came and sang her song:
«Quack, quack, grow big and strong.
I shall find a worm for you,
A fat and juicy worm to chew.»

Silly Mousie, half asleep,
Gave a fretful little peep:
«Go away, you horrid nurse —
Mommie s bad. but you are worse.»

Mother Mousie ran to get
The Toad to nurse her little pet:
«Please to move into our house
And be a nanny to my mouse.»

Toady came and croaked with pride:
«I am sitting by your side,
If you’re good and do not cry.
You shall have a big fat fly.»

Silly Mousie, half asleep,
Gave a fretful little peep:
«Go away, you horrid nurse —
Ducky’s bad, but you are worse.»

Mother Mousie ran to get
The Mare to nurse her little pet:
«Please to move into our house
And be a nanny to my mouse.»

The Mare sang out with all her might:
«Close your eyes and close them tight.
Cats are nasty, so are goats:
But mice arc nice, I feed them oats.»

Silly Mousie, half asleep.
Gave a fretful little peep:
«Go away, you horrid nurse —
Toady’s bad. but you are worse.»

Mother Mousie ran to get
The Pig to nurse her little pet:
«Please to move into our house
To be a nanny to my mouse.»

«Umph, umph,» was Piggy's song.
«Umph, umph, the night is long.
Go to sleep, and if you do,
You shall have a beet or two.»

Silly Mousie. half asleep.
Gave a fretful little peep:
«Go away and let me be —
Your voice is much too rough for me.»

Mother Mousie went to get
The Hen to nurse her little pet:
«Please to move into our home
And be a nanny to my mouse.»

«Cluck-cluck-cluck,» the Henny said.
«You’re very restless in your bed;
Tuck tuck tuck your little head
Beneath my speckled wing instead.»

Silly Mousie, half asleep,
Gave a fretful little peep:
Go away, you horrid nurse —
Piggy's bad. but you arc worse.»

Mother Mouse ran to get
The Fish to nurse her little pet:
«Please to move into our house
And be a nanny to my mouse.»

The Fish began lowing away,
But what it vang was hard to say:
It moved its mouth, no doubt of it,
But not a sound came out of it.

Silly Mousie, hull asleep,
Gave a fretful little peep:
«Go away and let me be,
Your voice is much too soli for me.»

Mother Mousie ran to get
The Cat to nurse tier little pet:
«Please to move into our house
And be a nanny to my mouse.»

Pussy’s voice was full joy:
«Meow, meow. deep, my boy;
Meow. meow. Ill lay my head
Here beside you on the bed.»

Silly Mousie, half asleep.
Gate a happy little peep:
I adore the way you sing —
It s just too sweet for anything!»

In came Mother al a bound.
Searched the bed. searched all around.
Searched the house for Silly Mouse.
But Silly Mouse could not be found...

Translated by Margaret Wettlin