“I sent to them again to say ‘It will be better to obey.’

The fishes answered with a grin, ‘Why, what a temper you are in!’

I told them once, I told them twice: They would not listen to advice.

I took a kettle large and new, Fit for the deed I had to do.

My heart went hop, my heart went thump; I filled the kettle at the pump.

Then someone came to me and said, ‘The little fishes are in bed.’

I said to him, I said it plain, ‘Then you must wake them up again.’

I said it very loud and clear; I went and shouted in his ear.”