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Writer's pictureKaye Rechner

Hey Diddle Diddle



Hey diddle diddle the cat and the fiddle

The cow jumped over the moon

The little dog laughed to see such sport

And the dish ran away with the spoon

The three friends lounged together on the grass, just the other side of Humpty’s wall. It had been a busy week keeping track of all the little ones in the neighbourhood. My goodness, what a job it had been matching up all the mittens that had blown off the clothesline.


As for Mary and her lamb, whatever made her think that she could smuggle it into school without the teacher noticing? That was just laughable.

And as if Mama Cat didn’t have enough work keeping those energetic kittens fed, there was little Jackie Horner from around the corner popping his thumb into her pies!

Well finally, they were taking a moment to relax as Marigold read the latest updates from space news.com. “It says here,” she said, pausing to chew her cud, “that the Canadarm is on permanent display in the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. It seems to me that jumping over the moon is just not good enough these days. I want more!”

Hey diddle diddle three cats got my fiddle

Their mitts are still sticky from pie

Now dog, quit your laughing, it’s really not sport

Cause now they’ve run off on the fly

The three had been so preoccupied with the latest space news that they hadn’t even noticed those mischievous kittens sneaking up. Besides, they were too tired to give chase, even if that fiddle was the one she had purchased from King Cole, Senior. Well, maybe they had also learned a little something from the wisdom demonstrated by Little Bo Peep last week, when her sheep had wandered off. Common sense told little Bo that if she simply left them alone, they would come home, wagging their tails behind them.

Returning to thoughts of the space race, Marigold’s friends wondered exactly what she was thinking. Was this just daydreaming and wool gathering or was she determined to act?

Hey diddle diddle to little Boy Blue

I’ve decided to enter the race

If his sheep and his cows don’t practice their jumping

I’ll be the first bovine in space


“Marigold, you’re nimble and very quick. You’ve moved far beyond the candlestick.” Jack, the golden lab, was trying to be supportive but ever since the conversation had touched on pie, he was finding it hard to ignore his rumbly tummy. Even Missy Muffet’s cottage cheese sounded appealing and that wasn’t usually on his short list.

Hey diddle diddle to old Mother Hubbard

At least she could find me a snack

I’m sorry I laughed, it wasn’t that funny

To giggle, for manners I lack

“You’re forgiven, Jack,” proclaimed Kiki and Marigold in unison.


“Actually we weren’t really that cross with you,” Kiki continued.


“We know that you laugh at yourself as well. You are simply such a good-humoured fellow that laughter just bubbles out.”

“Hmmm,” chuckled Jack. “Is it possible that Simple Simon might be convinced to share the wares of the pieman from the fair?”

With that, the three friends were up on their feet, ready to sing for their supper at the home of Tommy and the other Tuckers. Just then a trio of girls ran by with Georgie Porgie hot on their heels and kisses filling the air. They realized they might have to hurry as well if they wanted any utensils for their feast. After all, their manners would not allow them to lick the platter clean.


Hey diddle diddle we might need a dish and a spoon

With dining and music and fun

We will smile at each other and cherish the thought

To know that we’re friends, every one


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