Once a long, long time ago,
There was a kid named Fred,
And as he played with his best friend,
These words were often said.

Lets play a game of basketball,
Or maybe just some catch,
Or maybe they can teach the dog,
To play a game of fetch.

And then some other friends came by,
To play and have some fun,
And when they chose which team to join
The game had then begun

Then with the score remaining close,
A bet they thought to make,
To add a little spice and fun,
And valuables at stake.

They each thought they would win for sure,
And so the stakes were high,
Then played the very best they could;
There wouldn't be a tie.

One captain bet his favorite shoes,
The blue ones that he wore,
The other bet his pocket watch,
He bought new at the store.

They played and played and gave their all,
But then the rain began,
And so the game just had to end,
So home the players ran.

But Fred, the boy that bet his shoes,
Had lost that rainy day,
And as he sat all wet and cold,
His friend had this to say.

You keep your shoes, we'll play again,
But if we bet again,
I might just take those shoes next time,
Then he began to grin.

And so they left that rainy day,
While still the best of friends,
And so the friendship carries on,
But here the poem ends.


© James O'Brien
November 2003

Midi Playing: "Saturday in the Park"