The Yawn That Went Around

It began with the cat. The cat sat on the wall, and the cat gave a great big yawn. Aaaah-ooh.

The dog saw the cat. The dog did not want to yawn. But his mouth opened all by itself. Aaaah-ooh.

The dog was lying next to the cow. The cow saw the dog. The cow tried to keep chewing. But her mouth opened wide, wide, wide. Aaaah-ooh.

The cow was standing near the gate. Grandfather was closing the gate. Grandfather saw the cow. "Oh dear," said Grandfather, "now I have got it." Aaaah-ooh.

Grandfather walked into the kitchen. Grandmother was putting away the last plate. She saw Grandfather. She covered her mouth with her hand, but it was no use. Aaaah-ooh.

Grandmother carried the lamp to the bedroom. Mother was folding the clothes. Mother saw Grandmother. Aaaah-ooh.

And Mother bent over the little bed, where the baby lay with wide-open eyes, not sleepy at all.

The baby saw Mother.

The baby's small nose crinkled. The baby's small mouth opened. Aaaah-ooh.

The baby's eyes closed.

Mother smiled. She turned the lamp down low. Out on the wall, the cat was already fast asleep.

The yawn had gone all the way around. And now, I think, it has come to you.