The Dreadful Story of Pauline and the Matches

Mom and Pop went out one day, and left Pauline alone at play.
Around the room she gayly sprung, clapp'd her hands, and danced, and sung.
Now, on the table close at hand, a box of matches chanced to stand.
But Mom and Pop did both concur, that if she touched them, they'd scold her.
But Pauline said, "Oh, what a pity! For, when they burn, they are so pretty!
They crackle so, and spit, and flame, and Mommy often burns the same.
I'll just light a match or two, as I have often seen my mother do."

When Zip and Pip, the cats, heard this, they raised their paws and gave a hiss.
"Meow!!" they said, "me-ow, me-o! You'll burn to death, if you do so,
Your Mom and Pop said 'NO! NO! NO!'"

But Pauline would not take advice, she lit a match, it was so nice!
It crackled so, it burned so clear, the orange flame she did not fear!
She jumped for joy and ran about, and was too pleased to put it out!