Cyril the Squirrel has Chicken Pox
By Sandra Stoner Mitchell

It was Saturday morning, a bright sunny day,
When Timmy and Tommy Mouse raced out to play.
Just then Mrs Squirrel arrived on her bike,
And told them that Cyril could play if they'd like.
`But knock the door loudly,' she laughingly said,
because Cyril is still fast asleep in his bed.'

Now Timmy and Tommy were really surprised,
As, Cyril was usually the first one to rise.
But his Mummy said, 'School has tired him out,
So if knocking wont wake him, you'll both have to shout.
I'm off to the shops to buy some fresh nuts,
So I'd better be going in case the shop shuts.'

At Cyril the Squirrel's they knocked on the door,
And waited...and waited, then knocked a bit more.
Still they heard nothing, not the tiniest sound,
So Tommy picked up a stone from the ground.
Throwing it gently it tapped on the glass,
Then they waited until a few moments

Tommy then muttered, 'What shall we do now?'
When suddenly a voice said, 'What's all that row?
Can't a chap sleep? What is the time?'
And Tommy called back, 'It's a quarter past nine.
What are you doing still lying in bed?
Come on, get up, you old sleepy head.'

Now, Cyril the Squirrel was not feeling good,
And his tail didn't didn't bristle, the way that it should.
He opened the door, to let his friends in,
But when the boys saw him, they started to grin.
'Oh Cyril,' they laughed, 'you're covered in spots,
All over your face, you've got lots and lots.'

Cyril put both hands up to his face,
And, sure enough, they were all over the place.
'Oh dear!' he cried, 'What have I done?
What are all these spots? Where is my Mum?'
Just then Mrs Squirrel came back from the shops,
And smiled when she saw her son covered in spots.

'Don't worry,' she told him, 'you're not on your own,
I saw Mrs Mole as I cycled back home.
She told me that Millie has also got spots,
And the Doctor said that it was just Chickenpox'.
She turned towards Timmy and Tommy and said,
'You'd better be off now, and, Cyril, back to bed!'

They told Cyril they'd see him, when his spots were all gone,
And Cyril replied, 'I hope it's not long.'
Then Timmy and Tommy went on their way,
And thought they'd ask Reggie the Rat out to play
But round at his house Reggie's Mother said 'No,
Reggie has Chickenpox, so you'd both better go.'

'What about Vicky the Vole,' Timmy said,
But when they got there, she was in bed.
'We might just as well go home,' Tommy sighed,
my head hurts me now,' 'So does mine!' Timmy cried.
When they reached home, their Mummy could tell
By the spots on their faces ... they'd caught it as well!