Origins of the Sunday Comics by Peter Maresca for July 18, 2021

On a time there lived a Cat, well, there’s nothing strange in that,

But listen till I tell you all the story:

He was wise as wise could be, up in French, Astronomy,

Mathematics and the Classics were his glory.

But with all his sapient knowledge, things you have to learn in College,

Instruments and every kind of book galore,

He grew poorer every day, pr’aps it’s gossip, but they say

He could scarcely keep the Wolf from out his door.

Now there lived another Cat somewhat different in that

He hadn’t any sense within his brain.

All his knowledge bottled tight couldn’t last him over night,

And he wouldn’t seek a shelter from the rain.

Well, the Wise one sought the Fool, thus you’ll find it as a rule,

And told him in the course of conversation

That they’d roam this world so wide, seek their fortunes side by side,

And base all on a strict co-operation

So they wandered far and near, made a penny there and here,

Till one night they wandered up a mountain side;

And in a cave there on the wall was written in a scrawl

``None but the King of Fools dare come inside.’

The Wise one said, ``Nay! nay From here we’ll go away’’

But the Fool replied, ``It looks quite good to me.’’

So the former went right off in a hurry and a huff;

``Our partnership now ceases,’’ so said he.

Then the other went inside and sat him down inside

A casket labelled broadly ``Dynamite.’’

This meant nothing to the Fool, as he’d never been to school,

And not a single word could read or write.

Just to rest was his desire, so he made a rousing fire

Close up against the casket’s wooden rim,

And curling in a heap he soon fell fast asleep,

For nothing in the world could worry him.

[ continued ]

Very impressive artwork….