The Magical Hat
rhapsody October 31st, 2008
By Ernestine Cobern Beyer
Patrick was hunting, one Halloween day,
Through a trunkful of treasures long hidden away,
When much to the pleasure and profit of Pat,
He came on a wonderful magical hat. Well, quite as if this were his usual habit,
He put in his hand, and he drew out a rabbit.
Pleased, but not thrilled into shivers and chills,
Pat muttered: “That trick is as old as the hills!” Then thoughtfully scratching his smart little head,
“I think I will pull out some people!” he said.
And he did! From that hat so imposing and tall,
He pulled out a lady in bonnet and shawl.
A dignified man and his neighbor came next,
And one or two more whose expressions were vexed.
“I,” said the lady, “was having a nap!”
“And I,” said a man, “was at dinner, young chap!”
Through a trunkful of treasures long hidden away,
When much to the pleasure and profit of Pat,
He came on a wonderful magical hat. Well, quite as if this were his usual habit,
He put in his hand, and he drew out a rabbit.
Pleased, but not thrilled into shivers and chills,
Pat muttered: “That trick is as old as the hills!” Then thoughtfully scratching his smart little head,
“I think I will pull out some people!” he said.
And he did! From that hat so imposing and tall,
He pulled out a lady in bonnet and shawl.
A dignified man and his neighbor came next,
And one or two more whose expressions were vexed.
“I,” said the lady, “was having a nap!”
“And I,” said a man, “was at dinner, young chap!”
“I,” sniffed the neighbor, “was feeding my cats!”
“We hate,” they all cried, “to be pulled out of hats!” With this, looking ever so grumpy and glum,
They jumped in the hat out of which they had come,
And–pffftt!–they all vanished! “Now, that,” approved
“We hate,” they all cried, “to be pulled out of hats!” With this, looking ever so grumpy and glum,
They jumped in the hat out of which they had come,
And–pffftt!–they all vanished! “Now, that,” approved
Patrick,
“Is what I would call a remarkable hat trick!”
“Is what I would call a remarkable hat trick!”
If there was any justice in the world, Ernestine Cobern Beyer would be as popular as Dr. Suess.
Hi Thomas,
I so agree!!
I can see her work being made available in everything from board books for babies, to classicly bound & illustrated volumes, much like Dr. Seuss & Tasha Tudor. Until then, I’m going to post them as much as possible.
Thomas,
Just so you know, I sent Barbara (Ernestine’s daughter) a link so she could read your comment. She did reply to you, but I can’t find it (yet, anyway)… Well, in case it didn’t take, she was absolutely thrilled to have heard from you again, & greatly appreciates your appreciation of her mom’s work!
Of course, I’ll approve her comment if/when it does come through – my email’s been slow lately, so maybe it just got hung up in traffic…
Me too, me too! Ernestine is glorious, I wish more people were aware of the magic she created. And happily for us & like mother, like daughter, her daughter Barbara has inherited her sparkle with words.
Margo!! Thank you so much for writing!! Omigoodness – & if it wasn’t for your excellent computer skills, I wouldn’t have known you dear hearts! I’m ever grateful to you for your assistance & friendship.
!!!
Wow, this is like old home week, with my all-time favorite people touching bases, thanks to Thomas and Ernestine.
I’m filled with happiness this evening, sitting here with a sappy smile on my face. I’mthinking of my mother and how wonderfully creative she was, always carrying a pad of paper and a pencil so she wouldn’t lose a sudden inspiration.
Bless her and bless all of you for appreciating her work.
Ernestine’s daughter