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The Turtle

Dogs are quite intelligent
And helpful to mankind
They'll find you if you're lost
And they will guide you if you're blind.
They'll round up all your sheep
They are most useful on the farm;
They will frighten off the burglar;
They will keep you from all harm.

The turtle does not have the canine's
Bright, intelligent demeanour;
But I've always found the turtle
Makes a splendid ocarina.

The horse of course is powerful,
Can pull a heavy load,
Will take your carriage or your wagon
Down the long and winding road
Or else will bear you like the wind
And over water, fence and wall
Without a fault or a refusal;
There, the horse is best of all.

The turtle is less suitable
To ride round the arena;
But I've always found the turtle
Makes a splendid ocarina.

The lion is the king of beasts
And mighty is his roar;
You'll be frightened when you hear it
If you weren't afraid before.
His mane is most imposing
And his teeth are rather large
And if you go to Africa
You'll find that he's in charge.

The turtle's role, I reason,
Is a humbler one and meaner,
For I've always found the turtle
Makes a splendid ocarina.

It just takes a little drilling;
Such a sweet and mellow sound
That the turtle would find thrilling
Had the turtle been around.
It's the turtle's place in nature,
Let there be no shred of doubt,
To face the fate you know awaits you
And be neatly hollowed out.

Complain? Perhaps they do;
The neighbour's grass is always greener;
But I've always found the turtle
Makes a splendid ocarina.