But this was not true. Henry's composition was not in verse. As soon
as it was read to the school, he rubbed it off the slate, and it was
forgotten. Perhaps you would like to read those funny verses. Here
they are; but you must never, _never_, NEVER think that Henry
Longfellow wrote them.

Mr. Finney had a turnip,
And it grew, and it grew;
It grew behind the barn,
And the turnip did no harm.

And it grew, and it grew,
Till it could grow no taller;
Then Mr. Finney took it up,
And put it in the cellar.

There it lay, there it lay,
Till it began to rot;
Then Susie Finney washed it
And put it in a pot.

She boiled it, and boiled it,
As long as she was able;
Then Mrs. Finney took it,
And put it on the table.

Mr. Finney and his wife
Both sat down to sup;
And they ate, and they ate,
They ate the turnip up.