Mrs. McDoogle’s Bugle

Mrs. McDoogle had a bugle,

But she couldn't play a note.

So, she put on her bonnet, walked over the hill,

And gave her bugle to a goat.

The goat thought the bugle was something to eat.

He tried to nibble the horn,

But it was too hard,

So, he gave the bugle to a cow who was munching corn.

The cow stuck the bugle up on her head

And ambled down the path

Then tossed the horn off to a big, pink pig

Who was taking a lovely mud bath.

The big pig giggled

And tried to blow bubbles with the horn, but that wouldn't do

So she gave the bugle to a dappled gray horse

Who was wearing polka-dot shoes.

The horse trotted on, 'til he came to the pond

Where colorful waterlilies grow.

Then he gave the bugle to the ducks who live there,

The ducks who swim in a row.

Mama duck said, "Quack!" then took the horn

And pushed it with her nose

To the bank of the pond, where the birds fly by.

She gave the bugle to a crow.

The old crow laughed, "Caw! Caw!" he said

And flew off with the horn in his beak.

He flew for a year and a day and a half,

But by then, that crow felt weak!

"I need to rest!" the old crow thought

As he soared at a dizzying height.

Then from way up above, he looked down below

And spotted a place that was right.

Swooping down from the clouds with a grin on his chin,

He perched on a yellow porch swing.

He stretched out his wings and dropped the horn —

Then a lady started to sing!

This startled the crow,

And he flew away, leaving the bugle behind.

The singing lady was Mrs. McDoogle

Out tending her sweet pea vines.

Mrs. McDoogle walked up on the porch,

As pretty as you please,

To sit in the shade, sip lemonade,

And enjoy the afternoon breeze.

Mrs. McDoogle sat on the bugle!

Oh my! It gave her a scare!

"I wonder," she said, as she picked the horn up,

"How did my bugle get there?"

So, if you are out playing about,

And hear a strange melody,

Don't be afraid, alarmed, or dismayed,

At what you think it might be.

It's just Mrs. McDoogle, blowing her bugle

And wearing her lavender coat.

But try as she may, day after day,

She still can't play a note!