The Story of Johnny Head-in-the-Air

As he trudged along to school,It was always Johnny’s ruleTo be looking at the skyAnd the clouds that floated by;But what just before him lay,In his way,Johnny never thought about;So that everyone cried out,“Look at little Johnny there,Little Johnny Head-in-Air!” Running just in Johnny’s wayCame a little dog one day;Johnny’s eyes were still astrayUp on high,In the sky;And he never heard them cry“Johnny, mind, the dog is nigh!”Bump!Dump!Down they fell, with such a thump,Dog and Johnny in a lump! Once, with head as high as ever,Johnny walked beside the river.Johnny watched the swallows tryingWhich was cleverest at flying.Oh! what fun!Johnny watched the bright round sunGoing in and coming out;This was all he thought about.So he strode on, only think!To the river’s very brink,Where the bank was and steep,And the water very deep;And the fishes, in a row,Stared to see him coming so. One step more! oh! sad to tell!Headlong in poor Johnny fell.And the fishes, in dismay,Wagged their tails and swam away. There lay Johnny on his face,With his nice red writing-case;But, as they were passing by,Two strong men had heard him cry;And, with sticks, these two strong menHooked poor Johnny out again. Oh! you should have seen him shiverWhen they pulled him from the river.He was in a sorry plight,Dripping wet, and such a fright!Wet all over, everywhere,Clothes, and arms, and face, and hair:Johnny never will forgetWhat it is to be so wet. And the fishes, one, two, three,Are come back again, you see;Up they came the moment after,To enjoy the fun and laughter.Each popped out his little head,And, to tease poor Jo Ends