I Wanted a Pet

A rhyming story for children ages 5-7

I lived in a house with my mom and my dad

And my teddy and toys, and was busy and glad.

But I wanted a pet, something special for me,

Something cuddly, or crawly, or creepy, you see.

One friend had a hamster and one had a bird,

And a de-scented skunk was owned by a third.

I asked Mom and Dad, “Hey, can I have a pet?”

They stared at each other and, “Well, not yet,

And maybe not ever, if things don’t improve.

       You Need To Learn To Be Responsible!

Your room is a mess and you skip half your chores.

If spilled milk’s on the table I know it is yours.

When you get a bit older and do your fair share

Of the work in this house, then maybe we’ll dare.”

I tried to remember and help ‘round the house

But I hated the work, so sometimes I’d grouse.

       But I Tried And Tried.

One cold, rainy day as I walked down the street

I found a gray kitten, bedraggled but sweet.

I begged and I pleaded and asked for that cat.

Dad simply said, “No,” and that was that.

When spring came I asked Mom, “Can we get a puppy?”

She shook her head. “Nothing, not even a guppy!”

When summer came on, I asked for a horse.

I should have known better. They said, “No,” of course!

A week after that—I did it to tease—

I asked for a hippo. My mom just said, “Please!”

The day school began I said, “Jim has a snake.”

Dad’s face turned bright red. He said, “Give us a break!”

Then my birthday came round, and I did get a panda,

But it was a plushie from my Aunt Amanda.

I sort of gave up then. What else could I do?

I kept my room clean and tried not to feel blue.

My friends played with tablets and baseballs and wagons,

While I just drew puppies and kittens and dragons.

But then, to my joy and my utter surprise,

On a regular day, something fell from the skies.

Well, not quite exactly, he came on a plane

In a plaid carry-case with my great-uncle Wayne.

When Uncle Wayne lifted him out of the case

And handed him over, the pup washed my face!

He was fluffy and mottled with tan and with white,

And he barked, his tail wagging with utter delight.

I held and I petted him--wished he were mine

‘Til Great-Uncle Wayne said, “I think he’ll do fine

As long as you care for him, walk him and all,

Feed him and train him and throw him a ball.

I heard you were driving your mom and dad crazy

But you proved you could do it, you stopped being lazy

And did all your chores and kept your room clean

So that all that was missing was a pet on the scene.

This little one’s Rover. His mama is mine,

And I just couldn’t keep him, so it all works out fine.”

I took Rover out for a walk and a game

And I knew, I just knew, life would not be the same.

I hugged Uncle Wayne and my mom and my dad,

And I said, “Thank you, thank you! I feel so, so glad!”

That’s the end of this story, so please don’t be mad.

Yes, the end of my story, I’ve no more to add.

---

For Parents, Teachers, and Others

I was told for years by writing teachers that if a story has a lesson, it should be very subtle, even invisible. But in the Jewish tradition, stories are for teaching. I think that if a lesson is too deeply buried, it may never be found by a child. That is particularly true of children transitioning from early childhood to an age when reality is becoming clear and firm—this story’s target.

While this story has a lesson, it is really just for fun. Children like rhymes, and many parents like stories that do not feature underwear, bodily functions, or questionable behavior. So I hope you enjoy sharing this with the children in your life.

Please feel free to share it with anyone else, as well.

By the way, if you have followed TanteHannaWrites from the beginning, you might remember the story, Cat in a Box. [link]. Wondering why I write about cats in the rain, I remembered Sandy. He was barely old enough to live alone when I heard him crying one dark, rainy night. I found him totally soaked, huddled under the heating-oil tank behind my house. He grew to like my other cat and even cuddled with my dog, but he was always shy around me.