| Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern American Poetry. 1919. |
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| Oliver Herford. 1863– |
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| 28. The Elf and the Dormouse |
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| UNDER a toadstool crept a wee Elf, | |
| Out of the rain to shelter himself. | |
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| Under the toadstool, sound asleep, | |
| Sat a big Dormouse all in a heap. | |
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| Trembled the wee Elf, frightened and yet | 5 |
| Fearing to fly away lest he get wet. | |
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| To the next shelter—maybe a mile! | |
| Sudden the wee Elf smiled a wee smile. | |
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| Tugged till the toadstool toppled in two. | |
| Holding it over him, gaily he flew. | 10 |
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| Soon he was safe home, dry as could be. | |
| Soon woke the Dormouse—"Good gracious me! | |
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| "Where is my toadstool?" loud he lamented. | |
| —And that's how umbrellas first were invented. | |
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