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recorded reading
The wind - how it blew! The rain - how it rained!
It blew and beat down on the shop window panes.
A man and his dog stood out on the street –
“Just sell the Big Issue to all that you meet!”
The black and white dog happily ran up and down,
Greeting each person who walked through the town.
The man sold his Big Issues – we all did our bit;
And his four-legged friend was making a hit.
“Aaaah! Look at this sweet dog who runs to and fro –
Aaaah! Look, he’s wagging his tail and saying “Hello”.
“Hello my darling – oh he’s so cold and so wet!
I’ll pop into the pet shop for a warm dog jacket.”
“There you are darling – you’ll be lovely and warm.
That’ll keep you so snug in this bad winter storm.”
The little dog thought as he wagged his small tail.
“My handsome good looks mean that I never fail.”
Next day folk passed by and somebody sighed:
“That jacket’s no good – he’s warm but not dry.
I’ll pop into the pet shop for one coated in oil –
In this rain we don’t want his warm coat to spoil.”
The dry dog went round with a big grin on his face.
He ran up to his friends for a pat and embrace.
“He’s nowhere to rest whilst he’s here on the street!
So back to the petshop – “He needs somewhere to sleep.”
They quickly returned with a warm little bed.
“Just what you need to lay down your small head.”
The small doggie thought: “I’ve some kindly friends here”
They certainly love me, that’s ever so clear!”
Next day new friends spoke to his master again:
“That bed’s no good - it’ll get wet with the rain.
“We’ll pop into the petshop and buy him another –
One that goes over him – he really needs cover.”
The very next day when folks walked down the street
The small dog appeared and laid toys at their feet.
“He just wants us to throw them – oh isn’t he sweet?”
Their shopping forgotten, they played in the street.
This clever dog knew now that his tricks were appealing.
It was quite clear to him human hearts he was stealing.
They bought him a dish, and good things to eat –
More toys, food and clothes appeared on the street.
With biscuits in pocket I joined all the rest –
That day he wore tartan – he was so smartly dressed.
He came running to me, tail wagging to greet –
Then dropped very neatly a meat pie at my feet.
To be truthful the meat from inside had all gone
When he’d eaten his breakfast much earlier on.
He’d decided that kindness should not be one way –
And the pastry was saved for when I came to play.
I can’t be sure how many Big Issues were sold.
We all hoped that the man hadn’t suffered from cold.
But when his time in our town sadly came to an end –
How much we all missed our dear four-legged friend.
Copyright 2006