The Prodigal Centipede

Once to a Centipede a Snail
Remarked, “I wonder why you trail
Along the ground with such a lot
of feet—a hundred, is it not?
A hundred feet! when two or three
Are all you need. Just look at me!

“The speed and ease with which I crawl,
And yet I have no feet at all!
In these days would it not be wise
For you to—well, to Hooferize?
You surely don’t need more than two
To get along! If I were you,
I’d use one pair and stand up straight,
And save the other ninety-eight
Against a rainy day.”

“Indeed
You’re right!” replied the Centipede.
“I’ve often thought, to do my part,
’Twould be advisable to start
A Feetless Day—but then, you see,
If I stood upright I should be
A hundred feet in height, and I
Might bump my head against the sky!”
“Well,” said the Snail, “I must admit
That puts a different face on it!
Your life depends on lying flat!
Dear! Dear! I hadn’t thought of that!”