Tommy Tortoise Poem by stu aitken

Tommy tortoise had a dirty shell!
Which was his lovely home as well
He looked around to find a friend
To help him get it clean again

How did he know? I hear you ask
A sparrow told him as it flew past
He asked a magpie for some advice
It said ' A golden rings my price'

A hedgehog arrived upon the scene
And volunteered to get it clean
But though it's spikes were sharp and brittle
They hadn't realised how much they'd tickle

Having regained some control
Tommy continued on his stroll
Some soil and grime was not so bad?
But still it made him feel quite sad

A cat declared 'I'd lick it clean! '
'If mud were flavoured like fresh cream'
'But I can at least scratch it off a bit'
'Perhaps then you could live with it'

A mole popped up to try it's best
But it too failed, like all the rest
For though it's paws were really big
It had no cloth to rub it with

Tommy shouted 'I've got a plan! '
'To get my shell all spic and span'
'I'll stand around in a thunderstorm'
'And rub my shell on a bush of thorns! '

It didn't work, there was no rain
So Tommy had to think again
A clever fox had heard his shout
And decided he would help him out

He jumped over Tommy low and fast
A number of times and stopped at last
'There it's done and without a fuss'
'That's why they call my tail a brush! '