"Look at me," said the cat. "Look at me!

I can leap and dart and land on all my feet. 

My fur is the softest, my stripes are the orangest,

And my eyes are bright and green."

He strutted his stuff and ran up a tree. 

"I can climb and scratch too with my sharp claws that gleam."

He spotted a bird just above his head.

The bird looked down and haughtily said,

"Look at you? Look at me!

I'm as free as free can be.

I can fly, I can sing, and my feathers are all preened.

My claws can scratch and dig and grab,

My wings can fold and flap."

She whirled and twirled and flew around,

Then landed on the ground.

The bird and cat saw a dog coming forth,

His fur was full of stickers. 

They laughed and scoffed and snickered,

"Look at you, filthy dog, look at you!

Your stench is great, and your fur is all askew.

All you do is bark and drool

And scamper 'round the ground.

You can dig tunnels, I'll give you that,

In the dirt where worms have sat."

The dog, he did not mind the jokes.

He lay in the grass and humbly spoke,

"I may not leap or fly or dart 

Or look so pretty and sharp,

But I have a home and a nice family

That loves me for my heart."