Illustrator of most of the Oz books, and author of The Runaway in Oz, The Wonder City of Oz, Lucky Bucky in Oz, etc.
Originally published in The Sunday Magazine, February 21, 1904.
By Ruth Plumly Thompson
The Forever Forgetful Poet
"The sand man," says the forgetful poet, "carries a knapsack, because it is full of naps. As for dactylology, it is the sign language of the deaf and dumb. As for the marine creature mentioned last week, 'tis a dolphin; and as for the gales in his verse, nightingale, farthingale and a wind gale." Having delivered himself of all this the dear fellow went to sleep in the most comfortable chair in the office, and refused to be interviewed.
Fortunately, Professor Specs came along with some riddles. The professor is a very learned gentleman, and spends his time studying the earth. He says that below he has described a number of insects. I hope you will recognize them.
First, a relation will give a very industrious little insect.
A vegetable and a letter of the alphabet another.
A single letter of the alphabet gives a busy insect citizen.
A boy's nickname, rather an old-fashioned name beginning with N, gives a vexing little insect that bites.
A verb meaning "to hurry very quickly" gives another small pest.
And that is about enough for you to puzzle over this week, I fancy. But can you tell me what snaps without breaking?
[Answers next time.]
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