Mr. Gumpy's Outing. by Katie

   Mr. Gumpy’s Outing                   ----by John Burningham This is Mr.Gumpy.   Mr.Gumpy owned a boat and his house was by a river.   One day Mr.Gumpy went out in his boat. “May we come with you?” said the children. “Yes,” said Mr.Gumpy, “if you don’t squabble.”   “Can I come along, Mr.Gumpy?” said the rabbit. “Yes, but don’t hop about.”   “I’d like a ride,” said the cat. “Very well,” said Mr.Gumpy. “But you’re not to chase the rabbit.”   “Will you take me with you?” said the dog. “Yes,” said Mr.Gumpy. “But don”t tease the cat.”   “May I come, please, Mr. Gumpy?” said the pig. “Very well, but don’t muck about.”   “Have you a place for me?” said the sheep. “Yes, but don’t keep bleatng.”   “Can we come too?” said the chickens. “Yes, but don’t flap,” said Mr. Gumpy.   “Can you make room for me?” said the calf. “Yes, if you don’t trample about.”   “May I join you, Mr. Gumpy?” said the goat. “Very well, but don’t kick.”   For a little while they alll went along happily but then... The goat kicked The calf trampled The chickens flapped The sheep bleated The pig mucked about The dog teased the cat The cat chased the rabbit The rabbit hopped The children squabbled The boat tipped...   and into the water they fell.   Then Mr. Gumpy and the goat and the calf and the chickens and the sheep and the pig and the dog and the cat and the rabbit and the children all swam to the bank and climbed out to dry in the hot sun. “We’ll walk home across the fields,” said Mr.Gumpy. “It’s time for tea.”     “Goodbye,” said Mr. Gumpy. “Come for a ride another day.”