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Poem Matilda

Matilda told lies to get attention, including calling the fire brigade when there was no fire. When a real fire broke out in her house, no one believed her cries for help. By the time her aunt returned home, Matilda and the house had burned down. This was seen as a just punishment for Matilda's chronic lying.

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Sunil Mohta
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1K views1 page

Poem Matilda

Matilda told lies to get attention, including calling the fire brigade when there was no fire. When a real fire broke out in her house, no one believed her cries for help. By the time her aunt returned home, Matilda and the house had burned down. This was seen as a just punishment for Matilda's chronic lying.

Uploaded by

Sunil Mohta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Matilda Who told Lies, and was Burned to Death by Hilaire Belloc

Matilda told such Dreadful Lies, To hear this Entertaining Piece:


It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes; A Deprivation Just and Wise
Her Aunt, who, from her Earliest Youth, To Punish her for Telling Lies.
Had kept a Strict Regard for Truth, That Night a Fire did break out--
Attempted to Believe Matilda: You should have heard Matilda Shout!
The effort very nearly killed her, You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,
And would have done so, had not She And throw the window up and call
Discovered this Infirmity. To People passing in the Street--
For once, towards the Close of Day, (The rapidly increasing Heat
Matilda, growing tired of play, Encouraging her to obtain
And finding she was left alone, Their confidence) -- but all in vain!
Went tiptoe to the Telephone For every time she shouted 'Fire!'
And summoned the Immediate Aid They only answered 'Little Liar!'
Of London's Noble Fire-Brigade. And therefore when her Aunt returned,
Within an hour the Gallant Band Matilda, and the House, were Burned
Were pouring in on every hand,
From Putney, Hackney Downs, and Bow.
With Courage high and Hearts a-glow,
They galloped, roaring through the Town,
'Matilda's House is Burning Down!'
Inspired by British Cheers and Loud
Proceeding from the Frenzied Crowd,
They ran their ladders through a score
Of windows on the Ball Room Floor;
And took Peculiar Pains to Souse
The Pictures up and down the House,
Until Matilda's Aunt succeeded
In showing them they were not needed;
And even then she had to pay
To get the Men to go away,
It happened that a few Weeks later
Her Aunt was off to the Theatre
To see that Interesting Play
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.
She had refused to take her Niece
.

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